I 


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in  2015 

https://archive.org/details/illustratedcatal00john_1 


ILLUSTRATED  CATALOGUE  AND  PRICE  LIST 
OF  JOHN  THOMSON  PRESS  COMPANY'S 
PLATEN  PRESSES 


FOR  LETTERPRESS  AND  COLOR  PRINTING,  EMBOSSING,  BOOK- 
COVER   STAMPING   AND    PAPER-BOX   CUTTING   AND  SCORING 


DESIGNED  &  PATENTED 
BYJOHNTHOMSON.C.E. 
BUILT  ArC0LT5  ARMORY 
BY  COLT'S  PATENT  FIRE= 
ARMS  MANUFACTURING 
COMPANY.HARTFORD. 


TRADE  NAME: "THE 
COLT^ARMORYPRESS" 
TRADE  MARK:  THE 
FIGURE  OF  A  COLT 
RAMPANT  CAST  ON 
THE  PRESSES  r<9  b-"^ 


ADDRESS   ALL  COMMUNICATIONS  TO 

JOHN   THOMSON    PRESS  COMPANY 

253   BROADWAY   POSTAL   TELEGRAPH  BUILDING 
NEW  YORK  CITY 


Cable  Address  Heather  New  York  Telephone  3080  Cortlandt 


Copyright  1S96  by 
JOHN  THOMSON  PRESS  COMPANY 
New  York 


THE  GETTY  RESEARCH 
INSTITUTE  LIBRARY 


HIS  CATALOGUE  may  be  taken  as  a  fail- 
representation  of  the  character  and  inchisive- 
ness  of  the  machines  herein  described.  In 
our  judgment,  the  most  certain  method  for 
rejuvenating  the  business  of  printing,  is  for 
printers  to  bring  out  work  which  shall  be  more 
satisfying  to  the  public  than  the  old.  Thus, 
the  printer,  not  the  public,  may  set  the  pace 
and  the  price.  If  such  can  be  accomplished  with  little  or  no  increase 
in  the  cost  of  production,  then  the  result  means  profit  to  the  printer. 
And  it  is  precisely  this  which,  when  the  conditions  are  right,  we 
pretend  to  bring  about. 

Our  presses  are  especially  adapted  for  such  printers  as  have  the 
skill  and  the  desire  to  produce  first-class  printing.  For  such  hands, 
we  undertake  to  furnish  the  means  whereby  the  very  best  presswork 
can  be  obtained  for  the  least  expenditure  in  paper,  ink,  pressmen, 
feeders  and  maintenance  ;  in  other  words,  the  most  and  the  highest 
in  product  for  the  least  expenditure  and  in  the  shortest  time. 

With  those  who  are  satisfied  with  the  smudge  of  a  stencil  a 
printed  sheet  would  be  lost.  With  that  kind  of  "printers"  we  have 
neither  desire  nor  intention  of  opening  communication.  They  are 
the  mongrels  who  put  a  cloud  upon  the  art  and  have  made  it  possible 
for  a  certain  grade  of  presses  to  be  sold  that  were  as  well  built  in  the 
iron  foundry  as  in  the  machine  shop. 

As  a  matter  of  business  principle  our  entire  aim  has  been,  and 
is,  to  increase  the  scope,  capacity,  speed  and  durability  of  our  ma- 
chines; to  keep  the  quality  up  and  charge  for  it;  to  put  into  the 
hands  of  the  skillful  the  highest  grade  of  instrument. 

In  fine,  the  presses  of  our  line  are  the  best  we  know  how  to 
make,  and  we  have  the  temerity  to  assert  that  they  are  the  best  in  the 
field ;  hence  we  choose  to  deal  not  only  with  those  who  can  afford 
to  select  the  best,  but  who  have  the  skill  and  the  desire  to  properly  use 
such  when  furnished  ;  for  this  is  the  combination  of  right  conditions 
which  means  success  to  you  and  satisfaction  to  us. 


JOHN    THOMSON    PRESS  COAH'AXY 

Bv    1()HX     THOMSUX,  PRESIDENT. 


HfiNRY  S.  KHARNY,  Tkeasukek. 
WU^LIAM    THOMSON  Secketaky. 


Septemher,  1896. 


HALF  SUPER-ROYAL  STYLE  TWO 


The  color  work  of  cover,  also 
the  specimens  shown  herein, 
were  executed  upon  presses  of  this 
size  and  type  owned  and  used 
by  the  printers  of  this  catalogue. 


PLATEN    PRINTING  PRESSES 


HE  frame  is  designed  to  obtain  the  highest  degree  of 
rigidity  and  strength.    The  entire  structure,  bed,  sides 
and  cross  girths,  is  cast  together,  forming  one  part. 
There  are  no  curlycues,  scrolls  or  filigrees;  but  every 
line  has  been  laid  and  stands  for  one  purpose — efficiency. 

The  platen  is  attached  to  the  bridge  by  four  impression-adjust- 
ing bolts,  while  the  four  corners  and  the  center  are  supported  by 
jack-bolts  provided  with  jam-nuts.    This  refers  to  the  Styles  One 

and    Two ;    in    all    other  styles  the 
construction   is    solid,  iron    to  iron, 
no    strain    being    sustained  on 
screw-threads. 

The  tympan  clamps  are  of 
unusually  heavy  section,  steel, 
very  strong  and  stiff.  The  upper 
clamp  is  provided  with  a  projec- 
tion below  its  pivot  bearing,  so 
that  it  cannot  be  swung  over,  by  neglect  or  accident,  between  the 
bed  and  the  platen.  In  earlier  practice  the  failure  to  provide  this 
protection  had  been  the  cause  of  numerous  break-downs.  The  lower 
clamp  may  be  drawn  up  clear  of  the  frisket  fingers,  that  the  tympan 
may  be  conveniently  inserted.  With  these  clamps  it  is  practicable 
to  draw  a  tympan  as  tight  as  a  drum-head,  and  to  keep  it  so. 

When  the  platen  is  about  two-thirds  open,  the  frisket  fingers 
may  be  depressed  upon  the  tympan,  thereby  affording  convenient 
adjustment  to  the  feed-gauges  and  the  sheet. 

The  platen  rolls  out  about 
68°  from  the  vertical,  that  is,  some 
15°  or  20°  greater  angle  than  is 
usually  found  in  platen  presses. 
Its  action  during  the  feeding  in- 
stant is  an  entirely  original  sys- 
tem, being  constantly  in  motion  ; 
but  during  the  time  correspond- 
ing to  the  old  stop  or  "dwell" 
the  rate  of  movement  is  much 
less  than  that  of  the  cranks.  It 
has  been  well  termed  "  a  slow- 
moving  dwell."  The  device  for 
positively  controlling  the  platen 


consists  of  the  simple  cam,  attached  to  and  swinging  with  the  bridge. 
It  is  engaged  by  a  hardened  steel  friction  roller,  mounted  in  brackets 
secured  to  the  frame. 

The  ears  of  the  bridge  are  pro- 
vided with  lugs,  which  lock  upon  the 
rocker-seats,  whose  function  is  to  guide 
and  control  the  platen  during  the  slide 
to  the  impression.  These  ears  are  ex- 
tended outward  as  far  as  is  admissible 
to  obtain  the  most  effective  leverage, 
for  the  purpose  of  resisting  any  strain 
in  the  platen  tending  to  deflect  it  from 
a  parallel  line  during  the  time  of  its 
impact  upon  the  form.  We  regard 
this  as  an  exceedingly  important  fea- 
ture, as  it  obviates  the  tendency  to  cramp,  greatly  decreases  the 
pressure  upon  the  slides,  and  becomes  much  more  effective  in  its 
control  of  the  platen  than  when  these  ears  are  snubbed  off  short,  as 
in  competitive  practice. 

The  platen  is  caused  to  make  a  theoretically  perfect  direct  slide 
to  and  from  the  impression,  every  portion  of  its  surface  moving 
parallel  to  the  form  through  a  space  of  nearly  three-fourths  of  an 
inch,  making  an  absolutely  square  impact  upon  the  types,  irrespective 
of  the  height  of  the  form,  the  intensity  of  the  impression,  or  the 
thickness  of  the  tympan. 

The  changing,  or  merging,  of  the  vibrating  movement  into  the 

direct  slide,  or  i^icc  versa,  is  ac- 
complished without  the  slightest 
shock,  jar,  or  tremor.  There  is  no 
element  of  chance  or  uncertainty 
in  this  device  ;  for,  while  the  platen 
is  perfectly  free  to  perform  its  proper 
function,  it  is  otherwise  as  if  locked 
to  its  seat. 

The  walls  of  the  cam  are  cut 
away,  top  and  bottom,  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  tangent  of  the  curve, 
corresponding  to  the  direct  slide  to  the  impression,  that  the  cam 
and  its  roller  shall  not  be  subjected  to  excessive  strain.  In  fact, 
during  the  impression  contact  of  the  platen,  the  cam  roller  stands  in 
free  space.  Hence,  the  duty  required  of  the  cam  is  relatively  slight. 
The  thrust  upon  the  roller  is  constant,  changing  only  with  the  motion 


8 


of  the  platen.  It  is  not,  therefore,  hable  to  wear  fiat.  Moreover, 
this  leaves  the  platen  perfectly  free  to  slide  to  the  impression  without 
the  slightest  restraint.  Take  two  types  betwixt  finger  and  thumb, 
slide  them  back  and  forth,  and  this  will  exactly  represent  the  impres- 
sion action  here  described,  both  in  its  theory  and  practice. 

The  impression  may  be  thrown  off,  tripped,  at  any  part  of  the 
_^  platen  motion,  by  disconnecting 

^^^iiSi^S&li^  ^^^^  latch  and  swinging  the  ad- 


face  of  the  adjuster  bar;  hence  but  little  strain  is  imposed  upon  the 
bolts,  these  simply  acting  to  hold  the  parts  together. 

The  adjuster  slide  is  the  part  to  which  the  adjuster  bar  and  the 
eccentric  sleeves  are  locked.  It  is  adapted  to  positively  engage  a 
series  of  teeth  milled  in  the  central  segment  of  the  bridge.  The 
slide  is  steel,  drop-forged,  accurately  milled  to  gauge,  and  case- 
hardened. 

This  system  of  positively  locking  the  adjuster  slides  is  much 
preferable  to  any  arrangement  of  friction-wedges  ;  as  when  held  by 
friction  they  can  be  hammered  up  by  the  feeder  when  throwing-in 
the  adjuster  bar,  thus  gradually  increasing  the  impression  and  often 
resulting  in  twisting  off  the  sleeves. 

The  adjustment  of  the  impression,  on  Styles  One  and  Two,  is 
normally  effected  without  touching  the  impression  bolts,  and  often 
without  changing  the  tympan,  by  simply  setting  the  adjuster  slides 
to  different  positions  on  the  seg- 


^    steel ;  the  sleeves  of  tough,  hard 
bronze.      The    shanks    of  the 


juster  bar  downward,  which  acts 
upon  the  eccentric  sleeves  at- 
tached thereto.  The  effect  of  thus 
swinging  the  eccentric  sleeves  is 
to  lengthen  the  connecting  rods. 
The    adjuster   bar   is    made  of 


sleeves  are  let  into  recesses  milled  out  of  the 


ments,  the  effect  of  which  is  to 
cause  the  platen  to  slide  less  or 
more  upon  its  seats  to  or  fiom 
the  types.  In  other  words,  this 
has  the  effect  of  shortening  the 
connecting  rods  when  the  slides 
are  set  up  on  the  arc,  and  to 
lengthen  the  rods  when  the  slides 
are  lowered.    We  are  particular 


9 


HALF   MEDIUM   STYLE  ONE 


lO 


to  set  the  platens  of  all  presses  as  accurately  as  is  possible  by  means 
of  hardened  steel  gauges,  so  that  as  a  rule  the  platen  will  not  re- 
quire adjustment  when  received  by  the  printer.  Our  adjustment  is 
adapted  for  a  hard  tympan,  the  use  of  which  we  strongly  advise.  In 
fact,  there  is  no  room  here  for  pads  or  cushions. 

The  main  connecting  rods  are  formed  without  a  weld,  by  drop- 
forging  them  in  dies  from  a  single  billet  of  steel.  The  crank-pin 
"eyes"  are  bushed  with  hard  bronze  composition.  Over  3500  of 
such  rods  have  been  made  by  us  without  a  know^n  failure. 

The  chase  hook  is  elevated  by  the  treadle  at  the  right-hand  side 
of  frame.    Its  "lift"  is  limited  by  a  stop  pin,  so  that  it  cannot  come 
in  contact  with  the  cylinder.    The  chase  is  locked  by  a  pow^erful 
spring  acting  between  the  bed  and  the  lever  of  chase  hook.  The 
spring  and  treadle  may  be  adjusted 
by  nuts.    The  pivoted  guard  above 
the  pedal  is  to  prevent  accidental 
depression.    This  is  swung  upward 
by  the  foot  when  desirable  to  oper- 
ate the  latch,  but  it  automatically 
swings  back  upon  withdrawing  the 
foot.    The  chief  advantage  of  this 
arrangement  and  construction  is, 
that  the  chase  is  locked  with  equal 
security,  whether  it  be  empty  and 
true  or  filled  and  sprung  out  of 

shape  by  overstraining  the  lockup.  Nor  is  there  in  this  device  any 
possibility  of  its  grip  ever  being  loosened  by  wear  of  its  parts  or 
vibration  of  the  press.  In  making  ready,  when  necessary  to  under- 
lay, the  chase  may  be  conveniently  tilted  forward  or  removed  by  the 
pressman,  who,  having  both  hands  free,  elevates  or  permits  the 
depression  of  the  latch  entirely  by  the  pedal.  It  is  a  thoroughly 
substantial,  reliable  and  convenient  appliance  for  performing  a  most 
important  duty. 

The  distribution  of  ink  is  produced  by  causing  the  main  cylinder 
both  to  rotate  and  to  reciprocate  or  "vibrate."  The  deviee  for 
effecting  this  result  is  a  pair  of  bevel  gear-wheels  mounted  within  the 
cylinder.  The  smaller  gear  is  fixed  to  the  carriage-way  and  does  not 
rotate.  The  larger  gear  is  mounted  upon  an  arm  fixed  to  and 
moving  with  the  cylinder  shaft ;  hence,  the  larger  gear  has  a  com- 
pound movement,  rotating  with  the  cylinder  and  also  upon  its  axis. 
This  is  termed  the  traveling  gear.  An  eccentric  stud  upon  this 
traveling  gear  carries  a  hardened  steel  slide-block  engaging  a  slot  in 


i 


HALF   MEDIUM   STYLE  THREE 


12 


the  cylinder.  The  consequence  of  this  is  that  the  cylinder  as  it 
rotates  is  also  driven  back  and  forth,  the  extent  of  this  movement 
being  equal  to  the    throw  "  of  the  eccentric  stud. 

The  velocity  ratio  of  the  gears  is  such  as  to  produce  a  relatively 
slow  "vibration  "  and  at  a  speed  differential  to  that  of  the  rotation  ; 


DETAIL   SECTIONAL   VIEWS   OF   INK-DISTRIBUTING  ACTION 


thus  the  rollers  do  not  make  contact,  successively,  upon  the  same 
portion  of  the  cylinder.  Moreover,  the  form  rollers  as  well  as  the 
distributers  are  subjected  to  cross-line,  or  changer,  distribution.  It 
is  exceedingly  easy  on  rollers,  without  the  slightest  tendency  to 
roughen  their  surface.  No  other  platen  press  has  this  system  ;  which 
we  assert  is  at  least  as  effective  and  perfect  as  can  be  obtained  in 
the  most  expensive  stop-cylinders. 

A  recent  and  very  important  detail  improvement  consists  in 
reversing  the  direction  of  revolution 
of  the  main  ink  cylinder,  so  that  its 
thrust  upon  the  form-inking  rollers 
is  upward  instead  of  downward  as 
heretofore.  The  consequence  of 
this  is  that  the  form  rollers  are  held 
up  by  the  friction  of  the  ink  instead 
of  being  forced  away  as  in  previous 
and  competitive  practice.  More- 
over, this  permits  of  a  considerable  reduction  in  the  weight  of  the 
counter-balance  of  the  carriage,  permitting  very  high  speed  with 
assured  durability. 


13 


In  small  jobs  of  short  runs  the  distributing  rollers  may  be  dis- 
pensed with  ;  the  cross-line  or  changer  action  of  the  cylinder  upon 
the  form  rollers  affording  ample  distribution.  As  a  matter  of  fact 
this  changer  action  of  the  cylinder  makes  it  possible  to  obtain  more 
effective  results  with  one  rolling  of  the  form  than  could  otherwise  be 
obtained  by  two. 

The  carriage  may  be  stopped  upon  the  cylinder  by  drawing  up 
and  latching  the  projecting  handle;  which  is  shown  on  the  left-hand 
side  of  the  frame,  front.    This  condition  of  operation  is  shown  on 

page  7.  The  advantage  of  this  is 
that   the  ink  may  be  thoroughly  dis- 


ment.  As  a  result  of  this  arrangement  the  hook  does  not  wear,  the 
rubbing,  or  frictional,  movement  being  entirely  confined  to  the  roller 
and  its  pin,  both  of  which  are  hardened. 

The  bearings  for  the  rods  of  the  form  roller  boxes  are  of  ample 
length,  and  the  springs  are  locked  to  the  slide-rods  by  split  spring 
cotters.  So,  too,  the  carriage-way  friction  rollers  are  mounted  upon 
hardened  steel  studs  having  channels  extending  through  to  the  outside 
that  oil  may  be  readily  applied. 


tributed  upon  the  form  rollers  while 
the  form  is  in  the  bed.  The  device 
is  positive  and  may  be  operated  at 
will,  either  to  engage  or  disengage. 
The  durability  of  this  apparatus  has 
been  greatly  increased  over  earlier 
practice  by  the  application  of  a  steel 
friction  roller  to  the  hook  pin,  and 
recessing  the  quadrant,  /',  of  the  hook 
in  such  manner  as  to  automatically 
lock,  to  avoid  accidental  disengage- 


\ 


DETAIL   VIEW  AND   DIAGRAM   OF   THE   HOOK  CONNECTION 


The  movement  of  the  form-inking  carriage  has  been  the  sub- 
ject of  prolonged  study  and  careful  demonstration,  whereby  to  effect 
such  a  design  and  disposal  of  the  mechanism  as  to  insure  durability 
as  well  as  perfect  smoothness  of  action  at  any  rate  of  speed  possible 
to  feed  the  press.  Suffice  it  to  say 
that  this  has  been  accomplished  to 
a  degree  that  leaves  nothing  to  be 
desired.  As  has  been  well  said  by 
one  of  our  frank  expert  competitors, 
"It's  no  use ;  we  might  as  well 
admit  it;  we  simply  can^t  tetch  it/'" 
Among  the  improvements  here  re- 
ferred to,  mention  may  be  made 
that  the  bracket  which  sustains  the 
cam  lever  has  been  increased  in 
stiffness  ;  that  the  cam  roller  is  of 
larger  diameter;  that  the  "throw" 
of  the  cam  has  been  materially  reduced;  and  that  the  strain  lines  of 
the  action  as  a  whole  have  been  put  into  mechanical  harmony.  We 
are  prepared  to  guarantee  the  durability  of  this  action. 

The  slots  in  the  carriage-ways  are  adapted  to  receive  sliding 
journal  boxes  for  the  distributing  rollers.  The  boxes  are  first  slipped 
upon  the  journal  bearings  of  the  stock,  and  all,  as  one  part,  are  then 
inserted  in  the  slots.  In  this  wise  the  slots  in  the  carriage-ways 
cannot  be  cut  and  worn.    We  also  furnish  clamps,  as  see  page  13, 

which  apply  conveniently  to  the  upper 
slots  of  the  carriage-ways  of  the  Half 
Medium  and  Half  Super-royal  sizes  ; 
these  being  provided  with  adjusting 
screws  for  forcing  the  upper  distribu- 
ter stock  into  any  desired  degree  of 
contact  with  the  main  cylinder  and  the 
upper  small  cylinder.  These  clamps, 
in  connection  with  the  reversal  of  the 
motion  of  the  main  ink  cylinder, 
already  referred  to,  completely  over- 
come the  annoying  and  often  disas- 
trous results  which  are  experienced 
when  these  cylinders  act  like  a  ;/////,  as 
in  competitive  practice,  to  melt  the  composition  and  tear  it  off  the  stock. 

The  operation  of  the-  ink  fountain  is  as  follows  :  The  ductor 
roller  is  forced,  by  the  contact  of  the  friction  roller  mounted  in  the 

15 


HALF  SUPER-ROYAL  STYLE  FOUR 


l6 


arm  of  the  vibrator  frame  which  acts  upon  the  cam  of  the  crank- 
wheel,  against  the  fountain  cylinder,  and  which  is  then  rotated  by 
the  separate  and  distinct  action  of  the  bell-crank  and  its  pawl,  through 
a  space  equal  to  one  or  more  teeth  of  the  ratchet  wheel.  Thus  the 
ink  deposited  upon  the  ductor  roller  will  be  as  a  strip  whose  width  w'lW 
be  equal  to  the  number  of 


ratchet  teeth  acted  upon  by 
the  pawl.  Upon  completion 
of  the  ratchet  motion,  the 
spiral  spring,  acting  upon  the 
arm  of  the  vibrator  frame, 
swings  the  ductor  roller  from 
the  fountain  cylinder  over 
to  the  main  ink  cylinder. 
These  movements  are  accu- 


rately timed,  relatively,  so 

that  the  contact  of  the  ductor  roller  upon  the  main  ink  cylinder 
takes  place  as  the  carriage  starts  on  its  down  motion.  The  feed 
may  be  instantly  arrested  or  started,  without  stopping  the  press,  by 
simply  swinging  the  ratchet  pawl  in  or  out  of  engagement.  So,  too, 
the  number  of  ratchet  teeth  to  be  engaged  may  be  quickly  changed 
by  adjusting  the  thumb-screw  in  the  driving  lever  to  limit  its  throw. 
The  important  advantage  of  this  arrangement  over  competitive  de- 
vices is  that  the  number  of  ratchet  teeth  engaged  by  the  pawl  is  a 
means  of  controlling  the  feed ;  whereas  in  others  one  tooth  is  as 
effective  as  two,  three  or  four.  The  fountain  "  well  "  may  be  re- 
moved from  the  press  by  simply  detaching  the  two  thumb-screws 
which  normally  bind  it  to  the  bed.  The  frame  which  carries  the 
ductor  roller  may  be  swung  relatively  to  the  arm  which  actuates  it  so 
as  to  adjust  for  shrinkage  of  the  ductor  roller ;  so,  too,  in  tints  or 
half-tones  this  may  be  utilized  to  obtain  a  very  light  or  heavy  con- 
tact of  the  ductor  roller 
upon  the  fountain  cylinder. 

Particular  attention  is 
directed  to  the  combined 
belt-shifter  and  fly-wheel 
brake,  as  see  pages  6  and 
lo.  By  means  of  this  device 
a  single  thrust  of  the  hand 
shifts  the  belt  to  the  loose 
pulley  and  at  the  same  time 
applies  a  leather-shod  brake 


17 


QUARTO  MEDIUM 


i8 


Washer 


to  the  fly-wheel.  The  brake  shoe  is  mounted  upon  the  bell-crank 
extension  of  the  hand  lever  by  a  ball  and  socket  connection  ;  hence 
the  leather-shod  shoe  will  automatically  adjust  itself  to  a  proper 
contact  on  the  face  of  the  fly-wheel,  whatever  may  be  the  wear  of 
the  parts.  The  fork  may  be  swung  on  the  lever  to  effect  a  proper 
throw  of  the  belt  when  taken  in  connection  with  the  stop-bolt  which 
acts  in  the  bell-crank  against  the  supporting  bracket.  The  disposal 
of  these  parts  is  such  as  to  produce  a  wedging  action  between  the 
shoe  and  the  fly-wheel ;  hence  with  but  a  slight  thrust  from  the 
hand  the  fly-wheel,  even  when  driven  at  four  revolutions  a  second, 
can  be  brought  to  a  stop  within  the  period  of  one  revolution.  Since 
this  device  was  applied  we  have  yet  to  hear  of  a  smash  as  the  result, 
say,  of  dropping  a  bunch  of  sheets  into  the  press,  as  the  instinctive 
act  of  the  feeder  is  to  "throw  off  the  belt,"  and  when  he  does  this 
he  stops  the  press. 

Especial  care  has  been  taken  to  pro- 
vide means  for  conducting  oil  to  the  bear- 
ings. These  details  should  be  carefully 
examined  by  pressmen  before  starting  up, 
particularly  as  refers  to  the  main  ink 
cylinder,  the  carriage-ways,  the  connec- 
tions, the  pinion  shaft  and  the  connecting 
rods.  In  regard  to  the  latter  we  have  a 
special  arrangement,  applied  both  to  the 
crank  pins  and  the  bridge  trunnions,  which 
has  proved  highly  satisfactory  in  practice. 
It  is  shown  in  the  annexed  diagram.  As 
will  be  seen,  the  "  eyes  "  of  the  connecting 
rods  are  not  pierced.  During  every  revolu- 
tion the  oil  runs  back  and  forth  through 
the  channel  A  ;  thus  flooding  the  bearings  after  each  impression. 
Since  this  construction  was  adopted,  about  eight  years  ago,  we  have 
never  heard  of  a  cut  or  worn  crank  pin. 

A  somewhat  similar  provision  for  oiling  the  bearings  will  be 
found  in  the  gearing  of  the  main  ink  cylinder,  illustrated  on  page  13  ; 
also  for  the  roller  and  pin  of  the  bridge-cam.  But,  as  see  page  46, 
the  ultimate  success  of  these  provisions  depends  upon  the  following 
contingencies,  namely :  first,  the  quality  of  the  oil,  and,  second,  that 
the  oil  be  applied. 


Bolt 


Face  of  Gear  Wheel 


19 


STYLES 


AND 


ADAPTATIONS 


Our  printing  presses  are  divided  into  four  groups  or  grades, 
designated  in  the  order  of  their  cost  and  quahty,  namely :  Styles 
One,  Two,  Three  and  Four. 

STYLE  ONE 

I'his  is  our  regular  machine  of  lowest  price,  containing  every- 
thing hereinbefore  described.  It  is  manufactured  in  the  Eighth 
Medium,  Quarto  Medium,  Half  Medium  and  Half  Super-royal  sizes. 
See  pages  lo  and  i8. 

STYLE  TWO 

This  press  is  manufactured  in  the  Half  Medium  and  Half 
Super-royal  sizes  and  differs  from  the  Style  One  in  the  following 
particulars  :  First,  the  main  gear-wheel  is  made  with  a  section  of 
steel  fused  into  the  edge  of  the  main  iron  body,  this  section  contain- 
ing the  impression  teeth  ;  that  is,  the  teeth  which  carry  the  cranks 
over  the  nip.  This  construction  is  denoted  in  the  engraving,  page 
6,  by  the  darkened  section  in  the  main  gear-wheel.  It  is  practi- 
cally impossible  to  break  these  teeth.  Second,  the  adjuster  bars 
are  of  steel  and  are  provided  with  two  latches,  located  close  to  the 
adjuster  sleeves,  but  connected  by  a  single  cross-bar  so  that  both 
latches  are  operated  by  one  hand.  Third,  the  platen  is  cast  solid 
without  recesses  or  chambers.  We  strongly  recommend  it  as  the 
best  value  we  can  offer  for  printers  who  desire  to  produce  the 
character  of  half-tone  and  color  work  now  common  to  the  more  pro- 
gressive job  printing  offices. 

STYLE  THREE 

This  machine  is  built  in  the  Half  Medium  and  Half  Super- 
royal  sizes  and  may  be  variously  adapted  for  regular  letterpress 
printing,  the  very  heaviest  cut  or  tint  printing,  wood  printing  for 
packing  boxes  or  toy  blocks,  book-cover  inlaying,  light  embossing 
and  hot  stamping. 

It  particularly  differs  from  Styles  One  and  Two  as  follows  : 
The  pinion  shaft  is  extended  outwardly  and  is  provided  with  an 
outside  floor  support ;  the  fly-wheel  is  heavier ;  the  crank-wheel  is 
solid  ;  the  larger  gear-wheel  has  the  steel  impression  teeth  described  ; 
the  crank-  pins  are  hardened ;  the  connecting  rods  are  of  heavier 


20 


section ;  the  bridge  and  platen  are  brought  together  solid,  iron  to 
iron,  virtually  forming  one  piece,  no  pressure  being  sustained  by 
screws,  and  the  adjuster  bar  is  secured  to  the  bridge  by  two  latches. 

The  platen  may  be  fitted  with  a  removable  platen  blank,  or 
plate,  whereby  to  quickly  adjust  the  machine  either  to  "type  high," 
as  in  letterpress,  or  to  obtain  extra  space,  as  is  often  required  in 
book-cover  work,  wood  printing  or  embossing. 

In  some  cases  removable  steam  blanks,  or  "heads,"  may  also 
be  applied  to  the  bed  of  the  press,  locked  thereto  by  the  chase 
hook  ;  but  it  is  usually  preferable  to  insert  the  steam  blank  into  the 
bed  as  a  permanent  fixture.  The  steam  pipes  are  connected  by 
unions,  the  pipes  passing  back  under  the  bed. 

We  have  had  an  extensive  experience  in  adapting  presses  of 
this  style  to  special  uses,  and  if  we  are  carefully  informed  as  to  the 
purpose  for  which  the  machine  is  desired  we  can  often  offer 
suggestions  to  the  purchaser  which  are  of  material  advantage  in  the 
practical  fitting  up  and  operation  of  the  press. 

Suitable  feed  gauges  are  supplied  when  the  adaptation  is  for 
book-cover  inlaying  or  wood  printing.     See  page  12. 

STYLE  FOUR 

This  press  is  built  in  the  Half  Super-royal  size  only.  It  is 
double  geared,  with  double  fiy-wheels,  extra  heavy  connecting  rods, 
sleeves,  shafts  and  bed.  Steam  blanks  are  built  into  the  bed  as  a 
permanent  fixture.  It  is  adaptable  to  light  book-cover  stamping,  hot, 
and  then  to  inlay  without  shifting  the  die  or  gauges.  It  has  also 
been  successfully  used  for  embossing,  hot  or  cold ;  for  both  inking 
and  embossing  at  the  same  impression,  as  well  as  for  anything  that 
can  be  printed  on  a  platen  machine.  We  think  the  limit  has  been 
reached  in  this  press  as  respects  strength,  rigidity  and  inclusiveness 
of  adaptation.    See  page  16. 

DOUBLE    INKING  DEVICE 

The  form  roller  carriage  of  the  Half  Medium  and  Half  Super- 
royal  sizes  can  be  fitted  with  an  attachment  whereby  one  of  the 
rollers  is  carried  out  free  of  the  form  on  the  down  motion ;  but  is 
automatically  released  at  the  bottom,  snaps  back  into  contact  with 
the  form  and  supplies  its  charge  of  ink  as  it  travels  upward.  In 
this  wdse  the  form  is  inked  both  from  the  top  and  the  bottom,  like  a 
"  double-ender." 


21 


SIZES     PRICES     AND  DETAILS 


"COLT'S    ARMORY"    PLATEN    PRINTING  PRESSES 

Eighth  Medium,  Style  One. — Size,  Sxi2  inches  inside  of  chase. 

Two  form  rollers,  I  'j^  inches  in  diameter.    Price  of  press,  plain  $215  00 

Price  of  steam  fixtures   1 5  00 

Price  of  ink  fountain   20  00 

Price,  complete   $250  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  4  form  roller  stocks  ;  2  distributer 
stocks ;.  2  vibrator  stocks  ;  2  carriage-way  boxes  ;  8  form  roller  wheels — 
4  large,  4  small ;  i  roller  mold  ;  3  chases  ;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor 
standards  ;  3  frisket  fingers  ;  3  wrenches  ;  and  i  treadle.  Approximate  net 
weight,  910  pounds;  gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  11 50  pounds. 
Dimensions  of  pulleys,  2  inches  face  by  9^  inches  diameter.  Revolutions 
to  each  impression,  5.  Will  operate  safely  and  smoothly  up  to  2600  im- 
pressions an  hour.  Can  usually  be  supplied  immediately  upon  receipt  of 
order.  If  desired,  2  extra  chases  will  be  given  in  lieu  of  mold;  also  2 
in  lieu  of  treadle.     Terms  on  application. 

Quarto  Medium,  Style  One. — Size,  10  x  1 5  inches  inside  of  chase. 

Two  form  rollers,  2  inches  in  diameter.    Price  of  press,  plain  °° 

Price  of  steam  fixtures   15  00 

Price  of  ink  fountain   20  00 

Price,  complete  ^^350  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  4  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks ;  2  vibrator  stocks  ;  4  carriage-way  boxes  ;  8  form  roller  wheels — 
4  large,  4  small ;  i  roller  mold ;  3  chases ;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor 
standards  ;  3  frisket  fingers  ;  3  wrenches  ;  and  i  treadle.  Approximate  net 
weight,  1500  pounds;  gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  1835  pounds. 
Dimensions  of  pulley,  2^  inches  face  by  12  inches  diameter.  Revolutions 
to  each  impression,  6.  Will  operate  safely  and  smoothly  up  to  2600  im- 
pressions an  hour.  Can  usually  be  supplied  immediately  upon  receipt  of 
order.  If  desired,  2  extra  chases  will  be  given  in  lieu  of  mold  ;  also  2 
in  lieu  of  treadle.     Terms  on  applicaiion. 

Half   Mediuai,    Style    One. — Size,  13x19  inches  inside  of  chase. 

Three  form  rollers,  2  inches  in  diameter.    Price  of  press,  plain    I410  00 

Price  of  steam  fixtures   1 5  00 

Price  of  ink  fountain   25  00 

Price,  complete  $450  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  6  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks ;  2  vibrator  stocks  ;  i  riding  metal  distributer  cylinder ;  4  carriage- 
way boxes;  2  adjusting  clamps;  12  form  roller  wheels — 6  large,  6  small; 
I  roller  moid;  3  chases;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor  standards;  3 
frisket  fingers ;  3  wrenches ;  and  i  treadle.  Approximate  net  weight, 
2085  pounds;  gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  2470  pounds.  Dimen- 
sions of  pulleys,  3  inches  face  by  14  inches  diameter.  Revolutions  to 
each  impresssion,  8^4^.  Will  operate  safely  and  smoothly  up  to  1800 
impressions  an  hour.  Can  usually  be  supplied  immediately  upon  receipt 
of  order.  If  desired,  2  extra  chases  will  be  given  in  lieu  of  mold ;  also  2 
in  lieu  of  treadle.     Terms  on  applicatio)i. 


22 


Half  Super-royal,  Style  One. — Size,  14x22  inches  inside  of  chase. 

Three  form  rollers,  2  inclies  in  diameter.    Price  of  press,  plain  $47  5  00 

Price  of  steam  fixtures   1 5  00 

Price  of  ink  fountain   25  00 

Price,  complete   ^51  5  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  6  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks  ;  2  vibrator  stocks  ;  i  riding  metal  distributer  cylinder ;  4  carriage- 
way boxes;  2  adjusting  clamps;  12  form  roller  wheels — 6  large,  6  small; 
I  roller  mold ;  3  chases ;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor  standards ;  3 
frisket  fingers  ;  3  wrenches  ;  and  i  treadle.  Approximate  net  weight,  2270 
pounds;  gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  2705  pounds.  Dimensions 
of  pulleys,  2^  inches  face  by  14^  inches  diameter.  Revolutions  to 
each  impression,  8j4^.  Will  operate  smoothly  and  safely  up  to  1700  impres- 
sions an  hour.  Can  usually  be  sujoplied  immediately  upon  receipt  of 
order.  If  desired,  2  extra  chases  will  be  given  in  lieu  of  mold ;  also  2  in 
lieu  of  treadle.     Tcruis  on  application. 


Half  Medium,  Style  Two. —  Size,  13x19  inches  inside  of  chase. 

Three  form  rollers,  2  inches  in  diameter.    Price  of  press,  plain  $460  00 

Price  of  steam  fixtures   1 5  00 

Price  of  ink  fountain   25  00 

Price,  complete   $500  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  6  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks ;  I  riding  metal  distributer  cylinder ;  2  vibrator  stocks ;  4  carriage- 
way boxes;  2  adjusting  clamps;  12  form  roller  wheels — 6  large,  6  small  ; 

1  roller  mold ;  3  chases  ;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor  standards ;  3 
frisket  fingers  ;  and  3  wrenches.  Approximate  net  weight,  2125  pounds; 
gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  2510  pounds.  Dimensions  of  pulleys, 
3  inches  face  by  14  inches  diameter.  Revolutions  to  each  impression, 
8^.  Will  operate  safely  and  smoothly  up  to  1800  impressions  an  hour. 
Can  usually  be  supplied  immediately  upon  receipt  of  order.    If  desired, 

2  extra  chases  will  be  given  in  lieu  of  mold.     Terms  on  application. 


Half  Super-royal,  Style  Two. — Size,  14  x  22  inches  inside  of  chase. 

Three  form  rollers,  2  inches  in  diameter.    Price  of  press,  plain  $535  00 

Price  of  steam  fixtures   1 5  00 

Price  of  ink  fountain   25  00 

Price,  complete   ^575  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  6  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks  ;  I  riding  metal  distributer  cylinder ,  2  vibrator  stocks  ;  4  carriage- 
way boxes;  2  adjusting  clamps;  12  form  roller  wheels — 6  large,  6  small; 

1  roller  mold  ;  3  chases  ;  2  feed  tables,  wdth  outside  floor  standards  ;  3  frisket 
fingers  ;  and  3  wrenches.  Approximate  net  weight,  2320  pounds  ;  gross  net 
weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  2755  pounds.  Dimensions  of  pulleys,  3 
inches  face  by  14  inches  diameter.  Revolutions  to  each  impression, 
8^.  Will  operate  smoothly  and  safely  up  to  1700  impressions  an  hour. 
Can  usually  be  supplied  immediately  upon  receipt  of  order.    If  desired, 

2  extra  chases  will  be  given  in  lieu  of  mold.      Terms  on  applicatioji. 

23 


Half   Medium,   Stvlk  Tiirek. — Size,  13X  19  inches  inside  of  chase. 

Three  form  rollers,  2  inches  in  diameter.    Price  of  press,  com- 
plete, including  any  desired  adaptation,  except  hot  work    .    .    $600  00 
Price  of  steam  blanks,  or  heads  $75  00  to  150  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  6  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks  ;  I  riding  metal  distributer  cylinder ;  2  vibrator  stocks  ;  4  carriage- 
way boxes  ;  2  adjusting  clamps  ;  12  form  roller  wheels — 6  large,  6  small ; 
I  rollei  mold;  3  chases ;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor  standards;  3 
frisket  fingers  ;  and  3  wrenches.  Approximate  net  weight,  2330  pounds  ; 
gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  2775  pounds.  Dimensions  of  pulleys, 
3  inches  face  by  14  inches  diameter.  Revolutions  to  each  impression, 
8)4-.  Will  operate  safely  and  smoothly  up  to  1600  impressions  an 
hour.  Can  usually  be  supplied  in  about  ro  days  after  receipt  of  order. 
Tcr})is  and  details  o/i  application. 

Half    Super-royal,    Style   TtiREE. — Size,  14 x  22  inches  inside  of 
chase.  Three  form  rollers,  2  inches  in  diameter.   Price  of  press, 
complete,  including  any  desired  adaptation,  except  hot  work    .    $650  00 
Price  of  steam  blanks,  or  heads  #7  5  00  to  i  50  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  6  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks;  I  riding  metal  distributer  cylinder;  2  vibrator  stocks;  4  carriage- 
way boxes  ;  2  adjusting  clamps  ;  12  form  roller  wheels — 6  large,  6  small ; 
I  roller  mold  ;  3  chases  ;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor  standards  ;  3 
frisket  fingers  ;  3  wrenches  ;  and  i  treadle.  Approximate  net  weight,  2510 
pounds ;  gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  3000  pounds.  Dimensions 
of  pulleys,  3  inches  face  by  14  inches  diameter.  Revolutions  to  each 
impression,  8j4^.  Will  operate  smoothly  and  safely  up  to  1500  im- 
pressions an  hour.  Can  usually  be  supplied  in  about  10  days  after 
receipt  of  order.     Tcr;/is  and  details  on  application. 

Half  Super-royal,  Style  Four. — Size,  14x22  inches  inside  of 
chase.  Three  form  rollers,  2  inches  in  diameter.  Price  of 
press,  complete,  including  any  desired  regular  adaptation, 
with  steam  head  fixed  in  bed   $900  00 

The  following  parts  are  included  :  6  form  roller  stocks  ;  4  distributer 
stocks  ;  I  riding  metal  distributer  cylinder ;  2  vibrator  stocks  ;  4  carriage- 
way boxes;  2  adjusting  clamps;  12  form  roller  wheels — 6  large,  6  small; 
I  roller  mold ;  3  chases  ;  2  feed  tables,  with  outside  floor  standards  ;  3 
frisket  fingers  ;  3  wrenches  ;  and  i  treadle.  Approximate  net  weight  3336 
pounds ;  gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  3845  pounds.  Dimensions 
of  pulleys,  3  inches  face  by  14  inches  diameter.  Revolutions  to  each 
impression,  8^  •  Will  operate  smoothly  and  safely  up  to  1500  impres- 
sions an  hour.  Can  usually  be  supplied  in  from  two  to  three  weeks  after 
receipt  of  order.     lerins  and  details  on  application. 


For  tabulated  price  lists,  shipping  information  and  dimensions,  see  pages  39, 
40,  41. 


RECAPITULATION    OF    PRINCIPAL  FEA- 
TURES  TO  BE   FOUND  ONLY  IN  OUR 
"COLT'S    ARMORY''  PRESSES 


The  relief  of  the  platen  cam  during  the  impression,  permitting  a 
free,  unrestrained  slide  to  the  form. 

The  positive  cam  motion  of  platen. 

The  chase  latch ;  arranged  to  be  operated  by  a  pedal  and  to  hold 
the  form  where  it  belongs,  against  the  face  of  the  bed. 

The  journal  boxes,  for  distributer  stocks. 

The  combined  rolling  and  reciprocating  action  of  the  ink  cylinder, 
obtaining  direct  ink  distribution  upon  the  form  rollers. 

The  oil  reservoir  for  crank-pin  bearings. 

The  long,  direct  slide  to  the  impression,  with  the  heavy  elongated 
controlling  ears. 

The  drop-forged  steel  connecting  rods. 

The  operating  mechanism  of  ink  fountain,  ensuring  a  positive 
tlow  of  ink. 

The  hook  connection,  locked  to  hardened  steel  roller. 

The  heavy  tympan  clamps  and  arrangement  thereof. 

The  construction  of  adjuster  bar  and  sleeves,  avoiding  expensive 
break-downs. 

The  wide  angle  of  platen. 

The  new  reverse  movement  of  ink  cylinder  and  reduced  weight 
of  counter-balance. 

The  long,  slow-moving  dwell  for  feeding. 

The  combined  brake  and  belt  shifter,  a  preventative  of  accidents. 

The  smoothest  and  most  durable  action,  at  the  highest  rates  of 
operation. 

For  condensed  price  list,  with  weights,  dimensions  and  special 
parts,  see  pages  39-41. 

25 


ECCENTRIC-ACTION   EMBOSSING  P 
SIZE   l8  X  24  INCHES 


26 


EMBOSSING  PRESSES 


The  only  press  which  we  unreservedly  recommend  for  emboss- 
ing is  our  Eccentric-action  Embosser,  built  in  two  sizes,  i2j^  x  i8y^ 

inches  and  i8  x  24  inches  face  of 
platen. 

^^^ifmmi^^^  -^m^^^m  1  he    peculiarity    which  estab- 

jfj^^^          ^^^^BK-  lisl'^^s  the  designation  of  this  press 
^/  ^HK/  is   that  the   platen   is  actuated  by 

JH[  W'  m  Sjp'  eccentrics  instead  of  cranks,  these 
^BMp  I  9k  eccentrics    being    formed    on  the 

^H^^^  '>  M  ^Hp  inside  faces  of  the  gears,  project- 
ing through  the  main  connecting 
rods,  which  latter  are  thus  inter- 
posed between  the  finished  side  of 
the  bed  and  finished  faces  of  the 
gear-wheels,  the  space  being  just  sufficient  to  permit  free  movement. 
The  gears,  being  outside  of  the 
rods,  can  thus  be  made  of 
almost  any  desired  diameter, 
permitting  a  high  relation  of 
single-pair  gearing.  They  are 
provided  with  steel  teeth  for 
carrying  the  impression,  as  in- 
dicated by  the  darkened  portion 
of  the  engraving.  The  sides 
of  the  bed  are  carried  out  flush 
with  the  rods  ;  hence  the  shafts 
and  main  connecting  rods  are 
brought  to  a  shearing  strain, 
the  impressional  stress  being 
applied  with  almost  theoreti- 
cally perfect  directness,  avoid- 
ing the  possibility  of  spring, 
end  thrust  or  side  cramp. 

We  believe  that  this  press 
represents  the  nearest  approxi- 
mation to  what  has  been  well 
termed  the  "  anvil  principle  " 
in  machine  construction  that 
has  ever  been  reached.  The 
practical  benefit  to  the  em- 


Die  Space 


27 


ECCENTRIC-ACTION   EMBOSSING  PRESS  FRONT 


SIZE  12^  X  iSyj  INCHES 


Tlie  embossing  of  cover  was  executed 
upon  a  press  of  this  type  owned  and 
used  by  the  printers  of  this  catalogue. 
Moreover,  practically  a// of  the  remark- 
able examples  of  embossed  pamphlet 
covers,  issued  during  the  past  few 
years,  have  been  executed  upon  this 
press  


28 


ECCENTRIC-ACTION   EiM BOSSING   PRESS   REAR  VIEW 
SIZE    I2j4  X  1 8^  INCHES 


29 


bosser  is  the  facility  with  which  the  "  force  "  may  be  built  up,  and  its 
long  life  when  so  completed,  as  there  is  no  false  cramping  nor  any 
tendency  causing  it  to  "  crawl "  and  thus  break  down  its  lines. 

The  platen  motion  is,  in  general,  similar  to  that  of  our  printing 
presses — that  is,  an  absolutely  direct  slide  to  the  impression,  positively 
controlled  by  interlocking  lugs.  The  extent  of  the  direct  motion  is 
about  ^  of  an  inch.  But  there  is  one  important  modification.  The 
rocker  seats  being  at  an  angle  of  45"  in  the  smaller  press  and  50°  in 
the  larger,  the  platen  is  thus  virtually  suspended  by  the  connecting 
rods,  the  rockers  sustaining  but  a  portion  of  the  weight  of  the  platen. 
These  conditions  permit  forming  the  bridge  cam  in  such  manner  as 
to  swing  the  platen  on  its  shaft  in  unison  with  the  travel  of  the  eccen- 
trics, so  that  the  "  throw "  of  the  eccentrics  is  augmented  to  the 
extent  that  the  lower  edge  of  the  platen  is  carried  outward  in  a  line 
practically  parallel  with  the  face  of  the  bed.  Two  important  advan- 
tages are  thereby  obtained  :  First,  the  entire  face  of  the  platen  is,  as 
it  were,  lifted  out  and  up  to  the  feeder ;  and,  second,  the  radius 
(distance  from  center  of  gears)  of  the  eccentrics  is  reduced  to  a  mini- 
mum. Upon  the  inward  motion  of  the  platen  the  differential  effect 
of  the  cam  is  reversed. 

The  bridge  in  this  press  is  also  the  platen — that  is,  instead  of 
being  made  in  two  parts  bolted  together,  one  massive,  solid  casting 
comprises  the  two  functions.  In  the  12^  x  18^ -inch  press  this  part  is 
of  solid  steely  the  trunnions  being  4)^  inches  in  diameter.  In  the 
18  X  24-inch  press,  the  bridge  is  of  cast-iron,  bored  to  receive  a 
6^ -inch  forged  steel  shaft. 

These  presses  are  provided  with  a  special  friction  clutch  of  our 
own  design  having  great  adhesive  capacity.  The  shifter  handle  is 
fitted  with  a  brake  shoe  so  that  when  the  clutch  is  thrown  off,  reliev- 
ing the  press  from  the  fly-wheel  and  the  belt,  friction  is  at  the  same 

instant  applied  to  the  web  of  the 
clutch  mechanism,  thereby  stop- 
ping the  platen  at  any  desired 
position  of  its  travel.  The  clutch 
may  be  operated  with  any  degree 
of  rapidity  without  danger  of 
damaging  the  press,  and  without 
the  slightest  shock  or  jar  in  start- 
ing or  stopping.  We  warrant  it, 
without  proviso  whatsoever,  to  operate  with  complete  satisfaction. 

The  pinions  are  cut  solid  in  the  driving  shaft,  which  is  mounted 
in  a  solid  box,  babbitted  and  then  bored  out,  which  extends  across 

30 


the  entire  width  of  tlie  frame.  The  main  connecting  rods  are  of  the 
most  Hberal  dimensions,  and  are  made  of  forged  steel,  finished  over 
their  entire  surface.  There  is  a  section  of  machinery  steel  in  each 
of  the  gear-wheels,  in  which  are  formed  the  teeth  that  carry  the 
eccentrics  over  the  nip.  These  sections  are  formed  separately  and 
are  then  fused  to  the  iron,  the  adherence  of  the  two  metals  being 
as  perfect  as  the  weld  in  a  gold  ring. 

Owing  to  the  inclination  of  the  beds,  the  platens  are  caused  to 
swing  both  outward  and  npiuard  to  about  the  horizontal.  In  this  man- 
ner the  face  of  the  platen  presents  itself  to  the  pressman  or  feeder 
like  a  table. 

The  press  is  entirely  self-contained,  every  part  being  directly 
attached  to  the  frame  or  bed-plate.  The  eccentrics  are  oiled  from 
the  outside  of  the  gear-wheels  through  drilled  plugs,  and  the  bridge 
shaft  through  a  slot  or  opening  in  the  bridge,  consequently  the  con- 
necting rods  are  not  pierced.  Oil  reservoirs  are  formed  in  the  gears 
by  the  aforesaid  plugs,  from  which  oil  holes  lead  to  the  bearing  faces 
of  the  eccentrics ;  hence,  the  oil  is  fed  automatically  at  each  revolu- 
tion of  the  gears. 

If  frequently  and  carefully  oiled,  there  is  no  limit  to  the  speed 
except  the  ability  of  the  operator  to  lay  the  sheets.  We  know  that 
several  of  the  smaller  presses  are  worked  in  regular  practice  up  to 
1800  impressions  an  hour. 

A  steam  blank  or  "head"  may  be  fitted  to  the  bed,  the  pipes 
therefrom  passing  out  backward  under  the  pinion-shaft  bearing.  All 
necessary  gauges,  adjustments,  etc.,  are  furnished. 

These  machines  are  stiffer,  stronger,  more  enduring,  safer  for  the 
feeder,  and  have  from  three  to  four  times  the  output  of  the  oldfashiotied 
toggle-joint  presses. 


PRICE  LIST  ECCENTRIC-ACTION  EMBOSSING  PRESSES 


Clear  space  between  connecting  rods  is  18^  inches.  Net  weight, 
3600  pounds.  May  be  operated  with  safety  and  durability  at  any  speed 
possible  to  feed  the  sheets.  Delivery  can  usually  be  made  in  from  two 
to  three  weeks. 

Price  of  18  x  24-inch  size,  with  steam  head,  including  any  desired 


Clear  space  between  connecting  rods,  24^^  inches.    Net  weight, 
about  13,000  pounds.    Built  to  order  only. 

For  dimensions  and  speeds  of  pulleys,  floor  space,  etc.,  see  table,  page  40. 


Price  of  the  1 2     x  18^-inch  ■&\z%,  withoitt  steam  head,  including  any 

desired  adapation  of  platen,  gauges  and  blanks  

Same  press  with  steam  head  


$1100  00 
1200  00 


adaptation  or  adjustment 


$2750  00 


3 


32 


CRANK-ACTION  CUTTING  AND  SCORING  PRESS  PLATEN  CLOSED 
SIZE  20  X  30  INCHES 


33 


PAPER-BOX 


CUTTING  AND 
PRESSES 


CREASING 


For  this  purpose  we  build  two  types  and  sizes  of  presses,  one 
the  20  X  30-inch  Crank-action;  the  other,  our  26  x  38-inch  Eccentric- 
action  Press.  We  have  now  built  and  sold  over  two  hundred  of  these 
presses,  and  can  refer  to  every  paper-box  maker  of  prominence  in 
the  country. 

We  were  the  first  to  design  a  press  of  the  20  x  30-inch  size,  and 
not  until  we  had  demonstrated  its  desirability  did  others  follow, 
copying  up  to  the  line  of  patent  protection. 

In  the  20  X  30-inch  Crank-action  Press  the  platen  motion  is 
similar  to  that  of  our  printing  presses — that  is,  a  direct  free  slide 
and  lock  on  the  impression,  the  platen  rolling  out,  but  positively  con- 
trolled, to  a  wide  angle.  The  bed  is  inclined  15°,  but  the  press  may 
be  set  to  bring  the  bed  to  any  desired  angle,  less  or  more  than  the 
degree  stated. 

The  impression  sleeves  are  of  toughest  bronze,  rigidly  secured 
by  bolts  and  dowel-pins  to  a  steel  bar,  and  all  are  positively  locked 
to  the  bridge  by  two  adjuster  latches  and  slides,  which  engage  teeth 
formed  in  segments  on  the  bridge.  The  impression  may  be  in- 
creased or  decreased  to  a  limited  extent  by  moving  the  latches  to 
different  slots  in  the  segments.  A  separate  rod  connects  the 
adjuster  latches  so  that  the  impression  may  be  thrown  off  or  on  by 
first  withdrawing  the  latches  and  then  swinging  the  adjuster  bar  and 
sleeves  up  or  down. 

As  to  the  speed  of  operation,  there  is  but  one  limit,  namely  : 
the  ability  of  the  feeder  to  place  and  remove  the  sheets.  For  regular 
practice,  however,  we  recommend  from  20  to  30  impressions  a  minute 
— that  is,  1200  to  1800  impressions  an  hour — although  2100  and 


34 


even  2400  impressions  an  hour  are  being  regularly  made,  with  com- 
plete satisfaction  in  the  operation  of  the  machine. 

A  recent  improvement  of  great  importance  consists  in  forming 
the  bridge  and  platen  in  one  solid  structure,  instead  of  in  separate 

parts  as  heretofore ;  also  in  boring 
the  bridge  and  inserting  the  shaft, 
as  shown  in  the  detail  cut,  so  that 
in  event  of  damage  //  can  rcaifi/y  be 
removed  and  a  neic  s/iaft  inserted. 

The  belt-shifting  apparatus  is 
disposed  on  top  of  the  machine, 
the  lever  being  arranged  in  front 
of  the  operator  so  that  it  may  be 
instantly  grasped  and  operated. 


In  the  Eccentric-action  Paper-box  Cutting  and  Creasing  Press, 
we  present  our  latest  and  most  advanced  design  in  presses  for 
cutting  and  creasing  paper  boxes,  one  that  is  adapted  for  the  heaviest 
and  most  severe  duty.  It  is  built  to  embody  the  chief  principles  and 
advantages  of  the  Eccentric-action  Embossing  Press,  already  de- 
scritjed,  to  which  description  it  is  requested  that  reference  be  made 
to  avoid  repetition  of  detail. 

This  press  is  intended  for  all  the 
regular  grades  of  box  work,  but  in 
particular  for  the  production  of  large 
strawboard  boxes,  cigarette  boxes,  cut- 
ting out  embossed  figures,  and  the 
"  doubling  up  "  of  forms  which  would  re- 
quire to  be  run  singly  on  the  20  x  30-inch 
size.  Perfectly  smooth  and  durable  opera- 
tion is  guaranteed.  The  rate  of  operation 
in  regular  practice  ranges  from  1000  to 
1800  impressions  per  hour. 

As  shown  in  the  engravings,  the  fly-wheel  is  mounted  upon  the 
top  of  the  bed  between  the  gear-wheels.  The  advantages  of  this 
disposal  are :  increased  compactness,  a  perfectly  central  division  of 
the  strain  to  the  gears,  and  the  ability  to  mount  the  clutch  handle 
directly  in  front  of  the  feeder. 

The  bridge  is  peculiar  to  our  system — that  is,  embodying  the 
essential  free  direct  slide  to  the  die,  with  the  positive  interlock  and 
guide  of  the  platen  during  the  impression  contact. 

The  bed  is  inclined  forward  15°  from  the  vertical. 


35 


ECCENTRIC-ACTION   CUTTING  AND  SCORING   PRESS   FRONT  VIEW 
SIZE  26  X  38  INCHES 


36 


ECCENTRIC-ACTION  CUTTING  AND  SCORING  PRESS  REAR  VIEW 
SIZE   26  X  38  INCHES 


37 


The  platen  swings  out  to  within  about  io°  of  the  horizontal — 
that  is,  nearly  flat.  It  is,  therefore,  easy  to  feed  and  convenient  to 
"  make  ready." 

The  platen  and  bridge  are  made  solid.  No  eccentric  adjusting 
sleeves  are  furnished,  the  impression  being  adjusted  by  inserting  thin 
sheets  of  press-board  or  metal  between  the  cutting  plate  and  the 
platen.  The  press  is  entirely  self-contained,  every  part  being  con- 
nected directly  to  the  frame,  and  the  gears  are  provided  with  steel 
teeth  on  the  impression  sections. 

The  clutch  is  of  the  same  pattern  as  the  Embossing  Press,  the 
clutch-lever  handle  being  likewise  provided  with  a  brake  shoe,  so  that 
the  platen  may  be  almost  instantly  stopped  as  well  as  started.  Bear 
in  mind  that  in  this  press  the  fly-wheel  is  like  a  loose  pulley,  except 
only  when  clutched  to  the  pinion  shaft  to  drive  the  press.  The  im- 
pression cannot  be  tripped  as  in  the  instance  of  the  printing  press; 
but  the  platen  is  stopped^  the  fly-wheel  continuing  its  movement. 

In  our  judgment,  it  is  the  most  effective  machine  for  the  pur- 
pose ever  brought  out ;  and  we  commend  it  to  those  with  whom  the 
ultimate  capacity  to  produce  has  consideration  as  well  as  the  first 
price  of  the  press. 


PRICE    LIST    CUTTING    AND    SCORING  PRESSES 


Crank-action  Press. — Size,  20x30  inches  inside  of  chase.  Price, 
complete,  including  tables,  standards,  and  one  ground  steel 
cutting  plate  $700  00 

Face  of  platen,  20^  X  32  inches.  Standard  adjustment  of  platen 
is  for  a  cutting  plate  ]/%  inch  thick.  Xet  weight,  4240  pounds ; 
gross  weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  4750  pounds.  Prompt  deliveries 
can  usually  be  made. 


Eccentric-action  Press. —  Size,  26  x  38  inches  inside  of  chase.  Price, 
complete,  including  tables,  standards,  and  one  ground  steel 
cutting  plate  $1200  00 

Face  of  platen,  2634^x  40  inches.  Standard  adjustment  of  platen 
is  for  a  cutting  plate  ^-^  inch  thick.  Net  weight,  7325  pounds;  gross 
weight,  boxed  for  shipment,  8130  pounds.  Delivery  can  usually  be 
made  in  from  one  to  three  weeks. 

For  dimensions  and  speeds  of  pulleys,  floor  space,  etc.,  see  table, 
page  40. 


38 


TABULATED  PRICE  LIST  OF 
JOHN  THOMSON  PRESS  CO.'S  "COLT'S  ARMORY"  PRESSES 

(Terms  and  discounts  upon  application) 

These  prices  include  tight  and  loose  pulleys,  belt-shifter,  brake,  ink-fountain, 
boxing  and  delivering  free  on  board  at  Hartford,  Conn.  For  exact  specification 
of  parts  furnished,  see  pages  22-24. 


PRINTING  PRESSES 


Name,  and  Size  Inside  of  Chase 

Style  One 

Style  Two 

Style  Three 

Style  Four 

Eighth  Medium,      8  x  12" 

$250 

Quarto  Medium,    10  x  15" 

Half  Medium,       13  x  19" 

^500 

$600 

Half  Super-royal,  14  x  22" 

57  5 

650 

$900 

ECCENTRIC-ACTION    EIVIBOSSING  PRESSES 

Face  of  platen,  12^  x  i8j^  inches  $1100  and  $1200 

"     "      "       r8     X  24        "  2750 

CUTTING    AND    SCORING  PRESSES 

Crank-action,  20  x  30  inches  mside  of  chase  $700 

Eccentric-action,  26  x  38  inches  inside  of  chase  1200 

Imforian  I"  Xoi  KK. — The  foregoing  schedule  refers  to  presses  of  "  regular" 
adjustment,  any  departure  from  which  involves  an  extra  charge,  to  be  arranged  by 
correspondence. 

DIMENSIONS    AND    PRICES    OF    STEEL   PLATEN  AND 
BED    PLATES    OR    "BLANKS"  . 

FOR    CUTTING    AND    SCORING    EMBOSSING    AND    SPECIAL  ADAPTATIONS 

Both  faces  of  these  plates  are  ground  and  dull  polished  ;  the  edges  are  planed 
and  holes  are  drilled  and  countersunk. 

We  do  not  guarantee  these  plates  as  to  accuracy;  but  we  believe  them  to  be 
the  best  procurable  in  the  market,  the  error  of  flatness  or  thickness  rarely  exceed- 
ing 0.002  to  0.004  inch.  The  steel  is  of  moderately  high  carbon  and  will  stand 
considerable  hard  pounding  before  buckling. 


Name  and  Size  of  Press 

Face  Dimensions  of 
Plate  (Equal  to  Face 
of  Platen) 

Thickness 

Price 

Crank-action  Cutter  and  Creaser, 

20  X  30''  inside  of  chase 
Eccentric-action       Cutter  and 
Creaser,  26  x  38"  inside  of  chase 
Eccentric-action  Embosser, 

I2>^  X  181^" 
Half  Medium,  13  x  19''  inside  of 
chase 

Half  Super-royal,  14  x  22''  inside 
of  chase 

2074  X  32- 
2b}i  X  40" 
12/2  X  i8>^'' 

13^  X  2l5/s'' 
I4>8  X  24>^" 

0-187"  (iV) 

i  0.125"  (>^") 
I  0.250''  (K") 

0.125" 
0.125"  (>^") 

$S  00 

18  00 

5  00 
9  00 

6  00 
6  50 

39 


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40 


SHIPPING  INFORMATION 
APPROXIMATE    WEIGHTS    DIMENSIONS    OF    PACKAGES  ETC 


Designation  of  Press 

How  Divided 

Dimensions 

Weights,  Pounds 

Size,  Inches 

Style 

and  Packed 

of  Packages 
Inches 

Net 

Tare 

Gross 

Eighth  Medium 

8X12 

y  One 

J 

r 

Press,  Crate 
I'arts,  Boxed 

43  X  35  X  26.5 
39  X  39  X  9.5 

/CO  - 

005 
22^5 
910 

140 
100 
240 

825 
325 
r  1 50 

Quarto  Medium 
10x15 

y  One 
J 

{ 

Press,  Crate 
Parts,  Boxed 

48.5  X  41.5  X  30 
39    X  39    X  14 

I  I 

375 
1 500 

18c; 
150 

335 

I  sIO 

525 
1835 

Half  Medium 
13  X  19 

^    One  f 
y  and  i 

1     T'  \\m  1 

Press,  Crate 
Parts,  Boxed 

53  X  46.5  X  35 
43  X  39    X  14 

1680 
405 

165 

1 900 
570 

2085 

3«5 

2470 

Ma  If  \T(=>rliiim 

13  X  19 

1  Three 

J 

f 
1 

Press,  Crate 
Parts,  Boxed 

53    X  46.5  X  35 
47.5  X  41.5  X  16.5 

1780 
550 

225 

2000 
775 

2330 

445 

2775 

Half  Super-royal 
14  X  22 

^  One 
)>  and 
j  Two 

{ 

Press,  Crate 
Parts,  Boxed 

53  X  46.5  X  38 
43  X  39    X  14 

i860 
410 

265 
170 

2125 
580 

2270 

435 

2705 

Half  Super-royal 
14  X  22 

Whreel 

J  L 

Press,  Crate 
Parts,  Boxed 

53    X  46.5  X  38 
47.5  X  41.5  X  16.5 

i960 
550 
2510 

265 
--5 
490 

2225 

_ZZ5 
3000 

Half  Super-royal 

14  X  22 

1  f 

y  Four  <J 

J  I 

Press,  Crate 
Parts,  Boxed 

Fly-wheels 
Pinion  Shaft 

52.5  X  46.5    X  39 
43    X  39.75  X  13 
41     X  41       X  9.5 
63     X    5      X  5 

2448 
422 
406 
60 

3336 

282 
116 
94 
17 
509 

2730 

538 
500 

77 

3845 

Crank-action 
Cutter  &  Creaser 
20  X  30 

f 

1 
1 

1 

I 

Press,  Crate 
Parts  Boxed 

Chases 
Pinion  Shaft 

Wheel 

Wheel 

54.5    X  46      X  46 

30.5    X  5  X  -0.75 

36      X  29      X  6.5 
70.25  X    7.25X  7.5 
40.25  X  40.25  X  6.25 
40.25  X  40.25  X  6.25 

'JOOO 

275 
235 
70 

330 
330 
4240 

CO 

100 
40 
30 
45 
45 

510 

1.2  c;o 
37  5 
275 
100 

375 
375 
4750 

Eccentric-action 
Cutter  &  Creaser 
26  X  38 

{ 

Press,  Crate 
Head,  etc. 
Chases,  etc. 

64  X  60  X  55 
55  X  33  X  33 
45  X  35  X  8 

6200 

815 

310 

450 
275 
80 

6650 
1090 
390 

7325 

8^ 

8130 

Eccentric-aciion 
Embosser 
12}4  X  i8>^ 

r 

1 

Press,  Crate 
Parts 

63  X  52  X  48 

38  X  18  X  12 

3500 

100 

3600 

450 
500 

3950 
4100 

41 


CONSTRUCTION     OF    "COLT'S  ARMORY' 


PRESSES 

MATERIAL 

We  make  no  pretensions  to  a  monopoly  of  "  the  best  material ;  " 
the  market  is  here  open  to  all  alike.  But  we  do  entertain  the  belief, 
which  is  based  upon  some  knowledge  of  general  usage,  that  the  mate- 
rials which  we  select  iox  the  several  duties  to  be  performed,  are  better  and 
more  expensive  than  those  usually  accepted  for  analogous  purposes. 

When  cast-iron  can  be  run,  in  one  heat,  to  pull  at  from  15,000  to 
18,000  pounds  to  each  square  inch  of  section,  and  at  the  next  heat, 
at  from  25,000  to  28,000  pounds;  with  steel  ranging  in  tensile 
strength  from  50,000  to  250,000  pounds,  having  an  elongation  of 
from  I  to  40  per  cent.  ;  with  fancy  compositions  purchasable  at  from 
15  to  30  cents  a  pound,  and  whose  appearance  is  "  as  nearly  alike 
on  the  outside  as  a  good  egg  and  a  bad,"*  then,  we  submit,  there  is 
room  for  the  exercise  of  skill,  experience  and  intention. 

WORKMANSHIP 
In  respect  to  the  quality  of  our  workmanship,  we  claim  to  be 
"  second  to  none,"  either  in  the  field  of  platen  or  cylinder  presses. 
Our  manufacture  is  conducted  upon  the  interchangeable  system ; 
and  such  parts  as  crank  pins,  shafts,  connecting  rods,  cylinders  and 
gear-wheels  are  usually  carried  through  in  lots  of  several  hundreds. 
Then,  too,  our  system  of  inspection  is  based  upon  many  years  of 
experience  in  the  class  of  fire-arms,  under  the  most  rigid  scrutiny  of 
U.  S.  Government  inspectors,  and  the  superintendence  at  the  armory 
is  of  the  highest  order ;  the  result  being  to  practically  eliminate 
errors  of  construction  and  assemblage. 

TESTING 

Immediately  after  a  press  is  assembled,  our  regular  practice  is 
to  run  it  under  moderately  heavy  pressure,  at  fast  speed,  while  being 
closely  watched  by  a  skillful  mechanic,  to  bring  the  bearings  to  a 
moderately  glazed  surface ;  sufficient,  at  least,  to  ensure  satisfactory 
operation  under  proper  conditions. 

But  we  cannot  too  strongly  advise,  and  urge  upon  the  attention 
of,  our  clients,  to  their  advantage,  that  they  supplement  our  efi^orts 
by  devoting  a  few  days  of  close  and  constant  supervision  when 
starting  up  the  press.  In  this  connection,  see  the  paragraph,  page 
46,  entitled  "  Oil  "  ;  also  first  two  paragraphs  of  page  67. 

*  From  Charles  A.  Dana's  speech  to  the  students  of  Union  College. 


42 


A    FEW    SUGGESTIONS    ABOUT  LETTER- 


PRESS MAKE-READY 
OPERATION 


AND 


Where  a  type  or  cut  appears  low,  it  is  usually  preferable  to 
underlay  rather  than  to  overlay,  as  this  brings  the  faces  to  a  plane. 

If  a  slur  appears,  the  shift  being  in  a  direction  crosswise  of  the 
platen,  it  will  be  caused  by  the  form  being  out  of  proper  center,  or 
by  improper  contact  of  the  frisket  fingers.  The  remedy,  if  due  to 
the  form,  is  to  shift  or  reverse  it ;  but  if  this  is  impracticable  then 
give  the  platen  a  bearing,  say,  against  four  heavy-faced  types  set  in 
each  corner  of  the  chase.  While  this  puts  more  strain  upon  the 
press  the  supports  act  to  prevent  deflection.  This  treatment, 
however,  is  rarely  called  for.  Should  the  fault  be  in  the  frisket  fingers 
it  will  probably  be  due  to  their  having  been  bent  or  to  the  use  of  a 
thicker  tympan  than  we  adjust  for.  To  test  the  accuracy  of  con- 
tact of  the  fingers,  carry  the  platen  forward  until  they  lie  upon  the 
tympan,  having  first  inserted  strips  of  paper  under  the  fingers  top 
and  bottom.  Withdrawal  of  the  strips  will  show,  by  the  tension, 
where  the  contact  is  heaviest.  If  this  is  at  the  top,  bend  the  fingers 
outward ;  if  at  the  bottom,  this  can  be  corrected  by  inserting  card- 
board washers  between  the  fingers  and  the  face  of  the  frisket  frame. 
A  blur  is  often  mistaken  for  a  slur ;  which  may  be  caused  by  a  baggy 
tympan,  the  sheet  being  carried  outward  by  the  suction,  or  by  soaki7ig 
the  form  with  ink. 


UNDERLAY. 


hard-tympan: 

types  wear 


CHARACTER  OF  TYMPANS 

In  the  operation  of  platen  presses  we  have  long  been  "  sticklers  " 
for  the  use  of  hard  tympans.  So  much  has  been  said  upon  this 
subject,  pro  and  con^  that  but  little 
room  is  left  for  more  to  be  said ;  in 
fact,  there  is  none,  except  to  briefly 
repeat  an  old  story  in  the  hope 
that  it  may  be  heard  by  young  ears. 
This  diagram  illustrates,  in  kinder- 
garten fashion,  why  new  sharp-edged 
types,  if  brought  into  fair,  square 
contact,  under  heavy  pressure,  upon 
a  smooth,  hard  packing,  of,  say,  but 
three  or  four  sheets,  will  last  longer, 
will  produce  better  effects  and  will 


soft-tympan: 
types  wear  round 


44 


use  less  ink  than  when  the  same  types  are  forced  into  a  yielding 
cushion.  The  reason  is  that  in  the  instance  of  the  hard  packing  you 
have  pressure  without  appreciable  movement ;  whereas,  in  the  case 
of  the  soft  packing  you  have  both  pressure  and  movement.  To  illus- 
trate, take  a  sharp  knife  and  press  its  edge  against  a  piece  of  glass ; 
the  edge  will  stand.  Again,  force  the  edge  against  the  glass 
under  the  same  pressure  and  also  draw  it  along  the  hard  surface  ; 
the  edge  will  turn.  In  each  instance  the  pressure  is  alike  ;  but  in 
the  one  case  it  is  the  static  condition,  force  without  motion  ;  while  in 
the  other  case  it  is  the  dynamic  condition,  pressure  with  motion. 

As  to  the  tympan,  it  should  be  hard,  smooth  and  be  composed 
of  few  sheets  rather  than  of  many.  Its  character,  that  is  the 
degree  of  hardness  or  resiliency,  should  vary  with  the  work  and  the 
form.  The  "artist"  who  would  print  the  usual  electrotype,  a  half- 
tone, a  wax-line  engraving,  or  a  form  of  new  types  on  the  same 
tympan  would  probably  be  surprised  at  the  difference  in  the  results 
if  he  adapted  the  tympan  to  the  conditions.  But  this  is  something 
that  cannot  be  taught  on  paper ;  the  sense  is  an  instinct ;  if  you 
haven't  it,  better  quit. 

INTENSITY  OF  CONTACT  OF  FORM-INKING  ROLLERS 

In  the  inking  of  the  form,  especially  in  half-tones  and  the  like, 
we  cannot  urge  too  strongly  the  importance  of  looking  after  the 
degree,  or  intensity,  of  the  contact  made  by  the  form  rollers.  In  the 
great  majority  of  cases,  the  rollers  are  permitted  to  impinge  too 
heavily,  being  flattened  into  broad  flat  contact  surfaces,  thus  tending 
to  apply  too  much  ink  and  to  fill  the  cavities  of  the  plate.  In  view  of 
the  great  shrinkage  which  takes  place  in  American  roller  composition, 
the  best  method  of  counteracting  this  difliculty  of  roller  contact  is  to 
provide  a  plurality  of  form  roller  wheels,  or  "trucks,"  of  varying 
diameters. 

The  education  which  has  come  to  pressmen,  from  the  use  of 
disk  presses,  almost  invariably  tends  to  the  application  of  too  much 
ink.  This  is  not  only  a  waste  of  material  but  a  detraction  in  the 
result.  To  those  who  have  not  tried  it  the  experiment  is  well  worth 
the  making  of  running  a  job  with  the  ink  slapped  on,  like  whitewash, 
or  laid  on,  as  with  a  camel's-hair  brush. 


45 


GRAPHITE 


For  lubricating  the  rockers,  rocker-seats,  cam-ways,  slides  or 
gearing"^  of  printing  presses,  most  satisfactory  results  can  often  be 
obtained  from  the  use  of  pure,  soft,  flake-graphite.  It  can  also  be 
obtained  in  the  form  of  cylindrical  plugs,  very  convenient  to  apply, 
as  put  up  for  use  on  bicycles. 


OIL 

We  send  with  every  press  a  small  can  of  oil ;  the  object  of  which 
is  published  on  the  label  attached  to  the  can,  from  which  we  here 
quote  as  follows  : 

"This  can  of  oil  is  furnished  free  for  use  in  starting  up,  and  we  particu- 
larly request  that,  at  least  during  the  first  ten  days  of  operation,  the  bearings  be 
wiped  off  thoroughly,  and  that  the  oil  be  applied  sparingly,  but  frequently,  to  every 
working  part  of  the  press. 

"  We  regard  this  oil  as  especially  well  adapted  for  use  on  printing  or  embossing 
presses  ;  it  will  not  gum,  and,  while  free-running  is  yet  possessed  of  ample  body  to 
withstand  the  heavy  pressures  borne  by  the  connections. 

"A  new  machine  so  started  that  the  bearings  become  '  glazed  '  to  a  hard, 
smooth  surface  has  many  times  the  advantage  over  a  press  which  takes  its  chance 
of  survival  from  a  'lick  and  a  promise.' 

"  But  the  most  painstaking  care  will  not  counteract  the  use  of  a  poor  lubricant. 
Improper  oil  has  caused  us  more  trouble  than  any  other  fault  we  know  of ;  hence 
we  are. seeking  to  avoid  this  aimoyance  by  seeing  to  it  that  you  have  the  means 
forjiiaking  a  proper  start."* 


ELECTRIC  MOTORS 

Our  experience  justifies  us  in  recommending  the  use  of  electric 
motors  for  driving  our  presses  ;  the  most  efficient  method  being  to 
connect  a  motor  to  each  machine. 

Motors  of  from  one-fourth  to  one-half  horse-power  are  usually 
sufificient  for  ordinary  usage.  When  operated  at  maximum  speed, 
the  shaft  of  the  high-speed  type  of  motor  revolves  at  from  1200  to 
2500  revolutions  a  minute  ;  hence,  it  requires  to  be  indirectly  connected 
to  the  pinion  shaft  of  the  press,  as  by  belt  and  pulley,  or  by  pinion 
and  gear. 

*  Also  see  pages  66-7. 


46 


But  in  the  low-speed  motor,  the  connection  may  be  made  by 
direct  attachment  to  the  pinion  shaft,  thus  obviating  all  intermediaries. 

When  gearing  is  used,  to  obtain  smooth  operation  with  the  least 
noise  and  vibration,  the  pinion  which  is  applied  to  the  motor  shaft 
should  be  of  raw-hide  or  vulcanized  fibre. 

The  switch  may  be  connected  to  the  brake  handle  of  the  press, 
so  that  when  the  handle  is  forced  over  to  stop  the  fly-wheel  the 
circuit  will  be  cut  by  the  same  movement. 

Ordinarily,  in  these  applications,  the  question  of  power  economy 
is  of  the  least  importance. 
This  may  appear  a  some 
what  heretical  assertion ; 
but  the  facts  are  now 
well  established  that 
the  convenience,  the  in- 
crease of  light,  the  de- 
crease of  dust,  and  the 
higher  speed  of  opera- 
tion, are  factors  of  much 
greater  consequence.  In 
other  words,  the  advan- 
tages derived  are  quite 
out  of  proportion  to  the 
cost  of  installation  and  of  power 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  mention  that  the  use  of  the  electric 
motor,  when  properly  provided  with  apparatus  for  readily  controlling- 
the  speed,  has  resulted  in  an  unexpected  advantage,  namely :  an  in- 
crease in  the  average  rate  of  operation.  It,  in  fact,  has  been  an 
educator  to  a  higher  rate  of  output. 

The  excellent,  if  not  ideal,  exhibit  here  illustrated,  can  be  seen 
in  our  office ;  where  a  Half  Medium  "  Colt's  Armory  "  Press,  Style 
Two,  is  driven  by  a  Card  direct-connected  motor  at  speeds  of  from 
20  to  40  impressions  a  minute,  that  is,  1200  to  2400  an  hour. 


SHAFTING    AND  PULLEYS 


Too  often  a  short-sighted  policy  is  followed  in  the  lay  out " 
for  counter-shafting  and  cone-pulleys ;  saving  $5  in  the  plant  to  lose 
$20  in  the  output.  We  can  often  be  of  use  to  our  patrons  in  such 
matters  ;  to  whom  our  services  are  subject  to  command. 


47 


A    FEW    TECHNICAL  FEATURES 


It  has  been  thought  that  it  might  be  of  benefit  and  interest  to 
ampUfy  a  few  of  the  technical  features  involved  in  the  construction 
of  our  presses,  especially  to  bring  out  as  clearly  as  may  be  the  essen- 
tial or  foundation  principles. 

ELEMENTS  OF  INK  DISTRIBUTION 

In  the  matter  of  ink  distribution  there  is  probably  more  fog  and 
difference  of  opinion  as  to  what  constitutes  true  distribution,  and  as 
to  its  differences  in  degree,  than  in  any  other  matter  connected  with 
the  operation  of  printing  presses.  Broadly,  there  are  but  two  kinds 
or  classes  of  ink  distribution,  namely :  First,  that  obtained  by  rolling 
contact  only,  such  as  by  revolving  a  roller  over  a  plate  or  against  a 
cylinder,  and,  second,  that  obtained  by  a  combination  of  rolling  and 
rubbing,  as  in  the  differential  movement  of  the  cylinders  in  an  ink 
mill  or  the  combined  revolving  and  reciprocating,  or  back-and-forth, 
movement  of  the  riding  changer  common  in  cylinder  presses. 

It  may  be  said  of  rolling  distribution  that  it  applies  the  ink 
cylindrically  in  circles  around  the  rollers,  whilst  rubbing  distribution 

spreads  the  ink  side- 
wise.  Rubbing  and 
rolling  combined 
produce  a  film  of  ink 
of  uniform  thickness 
without  furrows, 
ridges,  lines  or  lumpy 
inequalities.  To  pro- 
duce the  best  results, 
the  inking  rollers  of 
a  printing  press  are  required  to  do  over  again,  in  part,  the  work  of 
the  ink  mill;  that  is,  grind,  distribute,  dispose  amass  of  sticky  paste 
into  a  semi-fluid  tissue  whose  uniformity  of  thickness  shall  be  the 
nearest  possible  to  perfect. 

The  difference  between  the  area  of  ink-carrying  surface  and  the 
effective  distributing  surface  is  not  always  as  clearly  distinguished  as 
it  should  be.  Thus,  if  a  cylinder  lo  inches  diameter  by  20  inches  in 
length,  having  ten  composition  rollers,  2  inches  diameter,  in  "  vibrat- 
ing "  contact  therewith,  is  revolved  once  in  20  seconds,  the  total 
ink-carrying  surface  will  be  equal  to  2512  square  inches  and  the 


Variable  Ink-film  as  rolled  on  by  tin e  "Universal." 
and  also  by  Disk  Presses. 


ORIGINAL  — 
FILM  OF  INK 

■   V     r  '  '  '  •  w  1 

'/             -      Cbmpbsltlon  |  Fo 

Roller  ' 

—  a^b^-c— i'nk-removedj  by 

contact  with-forWi  j| 

i  =^  -.:^:r---,:p: 

ORIGINAL     Y                         '         !              1  = 

FILM  OF  INK  }           aaasaaa '  ' 

1    V  '—"^^j^ 

Uniform  Ink-film  as  rubbed  on  by  tine  "Colt's  Armory" 
■Changer"  Cylinder 


48 


In  the  above  diagram,  the  full  lines  show  the  least  number  of  rollers  which 
will  operate  and  perform  practical  work,  as  between  the  old  and  the  new  systems. 
Ky  adding  the  distributer  rollers,  denoted  by  the  dotted  lines  C,  we  produce  a 
combination  of  four  elements  subjected  to  changer  distribution  as  against  two  in 
the  old.  The  addition  of  another  roller,  as  D,  would  increase  the  ink-carrying 
capacity,  the  surface  area,  but  would  not  add  to  the  rubbing  distribution. 


49 


distributing  surface  of  the  rollers  alone  will  likewise  be  equal  to 
2512  square  inches. 

But  if  with  the  same  cylinder  running  at  the  same  speed  w^e 
employ  five  composition  distributers,  each  of  2  inches  diameter,  as 
before,  we  by  this  reduce  the  ink-carrying  surface,  or  area,  by  one- 
fourth,  whilst  the  distributing  surface  is  reduced  by  one-half.  Hence, 
it  follows  that  in  presses  having  cylindrical  inking  apparatus,  the 
distribution  can  be  increased  in  any  given  device  only  by  greater 
speed  of  revolution  or  by  increasing  the  number  of  the  rollers  which 
make  contact  luit/i  the  "  ^il^rating^''  roller  or  cylinder. 

Therefore,  when  we  designed  means  for  causing  our  main  ink 
cylinder  to  reciprocate,  and  thus  perform  the  function  of  the 
old-fashioned  "vibrating"  roller,  this,  ivithout  increase  of  speed, 
doubled  the  distribution  over  that  of  previous  practice.  And  here  is 
a  simple  demonstration  :  A  "Colt's  Armory"  Press  is  operative  with 
07ie  form-inking  roller  in  contact  with  the  cylinder ;  whereas,  in  the 
competitive  system  the  least  operative  combination  requires  the 
addition  of  one  distributer  and  one  changer,  in  other  words  two  ele- 
ments as  against  four. 

In  the  matter  of  form-inking  rollers,  mere  multiplication,  espe- 
cially in  many  of  the  finer  classes  of  work,  is  as  likely  to  be  detrimental 


upon  the  form  and  the  character  of  the  impression,  are  factors  of 
much  greater  importance  than  the  number  of  times  that  separate 
films  of  ink,  as  ^,  G,  H,  are  deposited  upon  the  same  surface. 

FXXENTRIC    THROW-OFFS    AND  ADJUSTMENT 

The  duty  required  of  eccentric  adjusting  sleeves  is  much  greater 
than  is  usually  apprehended  by  printers,  and  it  is  doubtless  because 
of  this  that  these  parts  are  so  frequently  subjected  to  excessively 
severe  strain.  But  possibly  this  misconception  is  not  so  remarkable, 
in  that  the  principle  involved  is  somewhat  obscure,  so  much  so,  in 
fact,  that  even  clerical  professors  have  preached  false  doctrine  in 
regard  thereto.  "  But  with  what  face  shall  they  presume  to  teach 
who  have  never  learned  ?  " 


as  advantageous. 
In  our  judgment, 
the  way  in  which 
the  ink  is  applied 
to  the  form  roller, 


its  size,  the  inte?i- 
sitv  of  its  contact 


50 


Thus,  in  a  recent  technical  pubHcation,  the  following  statement 
is  made  in  regard  to  these  parts  :  "  It  will  be  seen  that  ( sic)  under 
pressure  the  slee\'e  is  like  two  curved  wedges,  tending  to  turn  on  the 
shaft  in  opposite  directions  and  (sic)  therefore  holding  each  other 
by  the  friction  of  pressure."  If  this  statement  were  true  no  means 
for  locking  would  be  necessary  and  these  parts  would  not  be  broken, 
as  thev  frequently  are,  in  the  competitive  system  of  construction. 


The  above  diagram,  if  carefully  studied  in  connection  with  the 
following  description,  will  make  clear  to  any  one  the  theory  and  the 
practice  relating  to  the  strains  to  be  resisted  when  eccentric  sleeves 
are  used  for  adjusting  the  impression  on  platen  presses,  and  a 
proper  knowledge  of  which,  we  presume  to  say,  led  up  to  the  con- 
struction herein  shown,  under  which  practically  no  failures  have 
occurred,  although  over  2000  applications  have  been  made. 

In  the  full  lines  of  the  diagram  and  in  the  right-hand  section, 
the  eccentric  sleeve  is  shown  wdth  its  center  C  on  the  center  line  of 
the  connecting  rod,  or  on  "  dead  center."  In  this  position  a  di?'ect 
strain  upon  the  rod  is  transmitted  to  and  is  borne  by  the  sleeve  in 
equal  amount  upon  either  side  of  the  center  of  the  strain.  The 
proof  of  this  is  readily  found.  Assume  a  strain  upon  the  rod  of 
10,000  pounds  and  that  the  diameter  of  the  sleeve  is  2.62  inches.  Then, 
the  distance  from  either  side  of  the  present  center  of  the  sleeve  will  be 
equal  to  half  its  diameter,  or  1.31  inches,  as  see  H  diwdj.  Therefore, 
^■^^=0.50  X  10,000=5000  pounds  on  each  side  of  sleeve  ;  hence,  it 
is  in  balance  and  would  not  tend  to  revolve  upon  the  shaft.  But  in 
practice  the  sleeve  is  rarely,  if  ever,  on  the  "dead  center."  Assume 
it  shifted  to  the  position  shown  in  the  dotted  lines  and  in  the  left- 
hand  section.  The  center  of  the  shaft,  bear  in  mind,  remains  fixed 
as  before,  but  the  center  of  the  sleeve  is  now  shifted  to  D.  Conse- 
quently, as  shown  at  Af  and  F,  we  have  a  differential  radius,  1.54 


inches  at  J/,  above  the  center  of  strain,  with  but  1.08  inches  at 
below  the  center  of  strain.  By  the  same  process  as  before,  we  find  : 
^^=0.5875  X  10,000  =  5875  pounds  upon  the  upper  " curved  wedge," 
and  ^-^=0.4125  X  10,000  =  4125  pounds  upon  the  lower  "curved 
wedge;"  whence,  5875  —  4125  =  1750  pounds  of  torsional  stress  tend- 
ing to  cause  the  sleeve  to  7'evolve  upon  the  shaft  in  the  direction 
indicated  by  the  arrow  B.  Mathematically  expressed,  as  shown  in 
the  diagram,  the  torsional  effort  ( F)  would  be  as  the  versed  sine  ( S) 
to  the  radius,  (R),  or  F=^.  It  is  also  claimed  by  our  sanrnts  that 
"  the  friction  of  pressure  "  (whatever  distinguishing  kind  of  friction 
that  may  be)  as  between  the  shaft  and  the  sleeve  is  a  factor  tending 
to  resist  the  rotation  of  the  sleeve.  This  is  doubtless  true,  to  a  certain 
degree.  It  is  likewise  true  that  friction  increases  with  and  is  a  function 
of  the  diameter  of  a  bearing ;  hence,  as  the  connecting  rod  acts  upon 
the  outside  of  the  sleeve,  the  greater  diameter,  the  "  friction  of  press- 
ure "  is  materially  greater  here  than  upon  the  shaft,  and  this  effect 
requires  to  be  added  to  the  theoretical  figures  submitted  !  The  press- 
man who  has  fully  grasped  the  foregoing  will  not  fail,  we  think,  to 
set  the  eccentric  adjusting  sleeves  of  his  press  as  near  to  the  "  dead 
center"  as  practicable  when  printing  or  embossing  a  heavy  form. 

THE   CONTROL  OF  ROLLING  AND  SLIDING  PLATENS 

In  controlling  the  action  of  platens  which  roll  to  and  from  the 
bed  and  make  a  slide  to  the  impression,  but  two  methods  have  been 
found  available ;  first,  by  a  combination  of  links  and  springs,  as  in 
both  the  old  and  competitive  styles,  and  second,  by  means  of  a  cam 
attached  to  the  platen,  this  being  the  new  style  as  broadly  covered 
by  us.  For  rolling  platen  actions,  all  link  and  spring  devices  have 
been  exceedingly  unsatisfactory. 

Any  one  can  readily  understand  the  reason  for  this  by  referring 
to  the  accompanying 
diagram,  showing  the 
curves  traced  by  the 
points  in  the  circle, 
representing  the 
"  rocker  "  of  a  press, 
when  rolled  on  a 
plane,  corresponding 
to  the  "rocker  seat." 
Thus,  if  a  link  were 
pivoted  at  the  center. 


52 


Circle,  op  rockei 


12,  and  fixed  in  the  rocker  seat,  the 
device  would  be  inoperative,  because 
the  said  center  seeks  to  travel  in  a 
straight  line,  as  from  C  to  D,  whilst 
the  center  of  the  link  must  describe 
the  arc  of  a  circle,  as  M,  N.  Now,  as 
all  the  curves  described  by  the  points 
I  to  lo  are  cycloidal  arcs,  each  differ- 
ent from  the  other,  and  none  of  which 
approximates  the  arc  of  a  circle,  it  is 
evident  that  any  link  acting  in  the  arc 
of  a  circle  must  produce  an  exceedingly  unmechanical  operation. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  it  does,  as  is  well  known  by  mechanical  experts, 
by  dealers  in  printers'  supplies,  by  printing  press  repairers  and  by 
printers,  from  dearly  bought  expericiu'e. 

We  assert  in  the  most  positive  terms  that  the  only  method  for 
the  control  of  the  rolling  and  sliding  platen  movement,  at  once 
theoretically  sound  and  which  long  and  severe  practice  has  fully 
demonstrated,  is  our  cam  system  ;  lu/iose  contour  can  l>e  made  to  cor- 
respond, in  any  degree  of  exactness  desirable,  to  that  of  the  cycloidal 
arc  in  udiich  it  swings. 


/TYMPAN 


CHARACTER  OF  PLATEN 
CONTACT 

In  platen  presses  there  are 
two  distinct  systems  for  impress- 
ing the  sheet  upon  the  form  ; 
lirst,  the  angular  contact,  such 
as  would  be  derived  from  a  pair 
of  tongs  or  a  nut  cracker,  the 
pressure  being  greatest  near  the 
pivot,  growing  less  and  less  as 
you  recede  therefrom,  this  being 
of  the  old  style ;  and,  second, 
the  direct  or  parallel  impact, 
such,  say,  as  is  made  by  a  letter- 
copying  press,  imparting  a  uni- 
form degree  of  pressure  to  every 
portion  of  the  form,  this,  the 
new  style  method  in  platen 
presses,  being  now,  in  its  theoret- 
ical perfection,  exclusively  ours. 


The  principle  involved  in  the  old  style  of  angular  contact  is 
shown  in  the  diagram  on  the  preceding  page,  which  proves,  beyond 
all  cavil,  that  in  every  practical  instance  where  a  form  is  brought 
into  angular  contact  with  a  yielding  tympan,  the  first  instant  of 
impact  will  either  be  at  the  top  or  bottom  of  the  platen  ;  the  conse- 
quence of  which  is  to  tend  to  crowd  the  form  off  its  feet,  to  produce 
an  unequal  indentation,  and  to  wear  away  the  sharp  edges  of  the 
types.  But  in  our  system  the  free  platen  is  drawn  to  the  form 
without  the  slightest  restraint,  in  parallel  lines,  through  a  space  of 
from  ys  to  %  inch,  like  the  cross-head  of  an  engine  in  its  slides, 
and  the  result  is  theoretically  perfect  impact  over  the  entire  surface 
of  the  form.  And  yet  the  proper  control  and  guidance  of  such  an 
action,  under  heavy  strain  and  subjected  to  the  varying  conditions 
of  practice,  is  not  without  difficulties  ;  as  is  indicated  in  this  diagram. 


Thus,  it  rarely  happens  that  the  actual  center  of  pressure  coincides 
with  the  center  of  the  connecting  rods,  and  whenever  this  condition 
is  found,  then  there  is  a  difference  of  pressure  to  be  resisted  by 
the  structure. 


AN   EXCEEDINGLY  IMPORTANT  PRINCIPLE 

Whenever  it  is  possible,  pressmen  ought  to  adjust  their  forms, 
in  any  platen  press,  so  that  the  center  of  pressure  shall  approximately 
coincide  with  the  center  of  the  applied  strain.  Especially  should 
this  be  done  in  the  instance  of  embossing  presses,  as  the  failure  to 
take  account  of  this  principle  frequently  causes  the  force  to 
"crawl"  and  break  down;  the  tendency  being,  of  course,  to  flow  to 
the  position  of  least  pressure.      Referring  to  the  diagram,  if  the 


54 


centers  of  plugs,  A  and  B,  are  at  equal  distances  from  the  center 
of  the  connecting  rod,  but  if  the  plug  A  has  twice  the  surface  of 
the  plug  then  the  center  of  pressure  will  not  coincide  with  that 
of  the  connecting  rod,  but  will  be  above  it,  say,  as  at  the  line  C. 
T\\t  effect  of  this  is  to  tend  to  cause  the  plugs  to  rise,  as  at  the 
dotted  lines  /,  and  the  platen  to  swing  as  indicated  by  the  arrow, 
E*  The  resistance  to  this  action  comes  from  the  guide  lugs 
of  the  platen,  which  engage  over  and  under  the  rocker  seats  ;  and 
it  will  now  be  clear  why  it  is  desirable  to  have  a  long  slidc\  w^hereby 
to  obtain  ample  bearing  surface  under  the  faces  of  the  guide  lugs, 
and  also  why  the  effectiveness  of  the  control  increases  with  great 
rapidity  the  farther  the  guide  lugs  are  carried  outward  from  the 
center  line  /;  the  arrow  ZiT  indicating  the  competitive  practice,  hav- 
ing a  tendency  to  cramp,  while  the  arrow  7^  denotes  our  construction, 
or,  in  effectiveness,  as  nearly  three  to  one  of  the  former. 


CONTOUR  OR  DESIGN  OFTEN  DENOTES  THE 
QUALITY 

In  the  opening  of  this  catalogue,  we  have  referred  to  curves  and 
curlycues  in  their  relation  to  the  design  and  efficiency  of  a  machine. 
There  is  more  in  this  than  might  at  first  be  supposed ;  for  the  prin- 
ciples involved  are  of  the  greatest  importance.  The  "lines"  in  a 
machine  are  somewhat  like  physical  symptoms  in  individuals,  indica- 
tive of  the  state  of  health.  The  omission  of  a  fillet  where  one 
line  joins  another,  as  in  a  casting,  or  a  journal,  may  cause  complete 
failure.  So,  too,  the  placing  of  a  curve  where  a  straight  line  is  the 
better  may  produce  a  similar  result.  Consideration  of  these  simple 
propositions  may  be  of  value  to  those  who  do  not  pretend  to  have 
expert  knowledge,  if  applied  as  a  "  symptom  "  when  in  the  market  as 
purchasers.  Thus,  any  one  competent  to  turn  a  door-knob,  knows 
that  a  crow-bar  made  like  this 


would  not  be  a  desirable  design  ;  that  a  straight  bar,  tapering  from  toe 
to  handle,  would  be  much  the  better.  And  yet  see  how  this  well-known 
principle  is  violated.    Look  at  the  illustrations  in  catalogues  and  ad- 

*  See  also  pages  65-6. 


55 


vertisements.  Observe  the  fly-wheels  and  pulleys,  whose  arms,  having 
the  form  of  a  grape-vine,  are  caused  to  perform  the  function  of  a 
lever.  Then  cast  a  glance  at  the  scrolls  in  the  framing  and  ask 
yourself  if  a  bridge  were  thus  built  whose  tension  and  compression 
members  were  curved  and  curlycued,  would  you  regard  it  as  a  proper 
construction  ?  Most  assuredly  you  would  not.  Then  why  not  re- 
quire at  least  as  good  engineering  in  your  presses  as  you  would  if 
acting  as  commissioners  in  the  construction  of  a  bridge  or  a 
locomotive  ? 


A    LIBEL    ON    FIRST  PRINCIPLES 


The  claim  has  recently  been  made,  in  regard  to  the  frame  and 
bed  of  a  competitive  machine,  "  that  springing  or  breaking  under 
strain  is  impossible ;  "  also  that  "  absolute  rigidity  "  is  obtained. 
And  this  assertion  refers  to  a  simple  chambered  bed,  as  if  it  were  new  : 
a  construction  which  dates  back  to  the  pyramids,  at  least  !  How- 
ever, our  contention  is  not  to  the  novelty  of  the  "  invention  "  (which 
we,  by  the  way,  also  employ)  but  to  the  statement  in  respect  of  its 
capabilities,  the  effect  of  which,  if  believed,  would  be  detrimental  to 
you  and  to  us.  No  bed  or  platen  has  ever  been  made  that  will  not 
spring  under  strain.  "Absolute  rigidity"  is  unattainable.  To  cov- 
ertly imply  that  a  chambered  structure,  whose  external  dimensions 
are  the  same  as  those  of  a  solid,  is  more  rigid  than  the  solid  is  sim- 
ply not  a  fact.  In  general  terms,  it  may  be  said,  that  in  the  instance, 
say,  of  a  hollow  column  with  the  same  quantity  of  metal  as  a  solid, 
then  the  chambered  construction  will  be  the  stronger  of  the  two.  In 
other  words,  the  beds  of  presses  are  chambered  either  to  save  iron 
or  to  prevent  excessive  shrinkage  strains.  To  assert  any  other 
motive  is  simply  a  subterfuge.  In  many  of  our  presses  the  beds  are 
of  solid  iron,  and  if  we  could  compress  more  material  into  the  given 
space  we  would  do  it.  Occasionally,  solid  beds  are  cast  with  one  or 
two  round  cores  passing  through,  lengthwise,  these  openings  being  to 
assist  in  cooling  the  mass  after  casting.  Beds  of  large  size  are  more 
troublesome  to  cast  solid  than  when  cored ;  but  when  properly  made 
they  are  much  stronger  and  more  nearly  approximate  the  limit  of 
practicable  rigidity.  The  main  connecting  rods  of  a  press  are  merely 
great  springs,  which  stretch  and  react  under  every  impression.  The 
most  expensive,  the  most  accurate,  and,  in  fact,  the  best  presses  we 
have  furnished  were  made  with  solid  beds  and  platens,  in  which  the 
sides  were  purposely  scraped  low  by  several  thousandths  of  an  inch 


56 


to  allow  for  the  spring  of  the  parts  under  strain."  In  this  connec- 
tion it  may  be  of  interest  to  add,  that  all  of  the  platens  applied  to 
our  Styles  One  and  Two  machines  are  planed  high  in  the  center,  and 
are  then  sprung  flat  by  the  supporting  jack-bolts  in  the  bridge.  This 
introduces  an  initial  stress  which  tends  to  prevent  them  from  pounding 
low.  If  not  strained  by  subsequent  operation  beyond  the  limit  of 
elasticity,  the  original  degree  of  flatness  of  the  platen  should  continue 
indefinitely.  And  yet  the  degree  of  accuracy  which  can  be  attained 
when  the  principle  of  the  problem  is  properly  understood,  and  the 
work  skillfully  executed,  is  rather  remarkable.  Thus,  in  a  test  for 
"sensibility,"  upon  a  solid  type  form  of  over  200  square  inches  area, 
a  single  sheet  of  paper,  0.003  ^^"^ch  in  thickness,  has  sufficed  to  bear 
off  the  impression  at  each  extremity  of  the  platen.  But  such  results 
cannot  be  obtained — that  is,  with  us — if  the  work  is  carried  out  upon 
the  theory  of  "absolute  rigidity." 

THE    WEIGHT    OF  FLY-WHEELS 

On  several  occasions  we  have  lost  the  sale  of  presses  because 
the  Hy- wheels  on  other  machines  were  considerably  heavier  than 
ours  and  were  "  warranted  not  to  stall  on  the  impression."  In  one 
instance,  the  matter  had  been  investigated  by  a  learned  professor  of 
dynamics,  who  reported  us  adversely  because  our  fly-wheel  lacked  of 
vis  viva.  Well,  the  fact  is,  we  ourselves  have  done  considerable 
"  figuring  "  on  this  subject ;  we  have  put  forth  a  legitimate  endeavor 
to  "  sustain  theory  by  practice,"  for  they  are  not  applied  according 
to  the  formulae  of  guess  and  trust.  It  is  annoying,  undoubtedly,  to 
have  a  press  "  stall  "  on  the  impression  ;  but  we  also  submit  that  it  is 
something  more  lasting  than  mere  annoyance  when  the  fly-wheel  goes 
over  and  the  press  falls  in  two !  The  practical  difficulty  to  be  met 
is  in  the  variable  loads  and  the  difTerent  rates  of  operation.  Thus, 
if  a  press  is  properly  designed  for  a  maximum  load  at  a  maximum 
rate  of,  say,  1200  impressions  an  hour,  and  is  speeded  up  to  1800 
impressions,  that  is  an  increase  of  50  per  cent.,  then  the  impressional 
power  of  the  fiy-wheel  will  be  donlded,  that  is,  increased  100  per  cent. 
Hence,  while  the  press  may  be  capable  of  operating  satisfactorily  at 
the  higher  speed,  yet  if,  at  the  higher  speed,  it  is  loaded  to  the 
capacity  of  the  fiy-wheel  to  carry  over,  in  the  one  instance  the  press 
will  be  safe  ;  in  the  other  instance  it  will  be  seriously  overstrained 
or  smashed.  It  may  be  well  to  here  mention  that  the  principle  is 
that  the  motive  energy,  the  power,  of  a  fly-wheel  corresponds  to  the 
square  of  its  velocity  in  feet  per  second  ( F'),  and  that  its  measure  in 


57 


foot-poiiuih  per  second  (terms  which  must  not  be  confounded  with 
pounds  7vei!^hf)  is  found  by  multiplying  half  of  the  weight,  or  mass, 
at  the  center  of  gyration  by  the  square  of  the  velocity  in  feet 

per  second  (j^MF"").  Thus,  if  we  have  half  of  a  certain  mass  w^hich 
is  equal  to  loo  pounds  moving  with  a  velocity  of  lo  feet  a  second,  the 
product  in  foot-pounds  would  be,  lox  lox  100=10,000  second  foot- 
pounds of  energy.  Suppose  the  speed  doubled,  that  is,  increased  to 
a  velocity  of  20  feet  a  second,  then  20  x  20  x  100  =  40,000  foot-pounds, 
ox  four  times  that  of  the  lower  speed. ^  Hence,  we  submit  that  the 
manufacturer  who  unreservedly  "  guarantees  "  against  such  a  con- 
dition, without  limitation  as  to  speed,  does  not  understand  the  situ- 
ation and  his  representation  is  valueless.  Our  effort  has  been  to 
furnish  presses  with  ample  fly-wheel  capacity  to  produce  the  desired 
results  under  proper  manipulation,  at  the  maximum  rate  of  operation, 
but  with  such  a  reserve  of  resistance  in  the  machine  (its  factor  of 
safety)  as  to  minimize  the  damage  should  the  full  capacity  of  the 
fly-wheel  be  accidentally  taken  up  at  its  maximum  rate  of  operation. 
A  contingent  advantage  of  this  method  is  that  when  a  symptom  of 
"  stalling  "  appears  it  usually  indicates  an  error  in  the  make-ready, 
the  immediate  correction  of  which  may  avert  a  break-down.  But 
there  are  conditions  when  the  proper  weight  of  wheel  for  the  maxi- 
mum speed  cannot  be  applied,  as  in  the  case  of  presses  which  must 
be  operated  under  very  heavy  impressions  at  slow  speed,  for  one 
class  of  work,  and  at  high  speed  for  another  class.  In  such  instances, 
the  fly-wheels  require  to  be  heavy  enough  for  the  slow-speed  opera- 
tion ;  hence,  they  are  too  heavy  for  the  high  speed.  The  most  prac- 
ticable remedy  would  be  to  provide  two  or  more  fly-wheels  of  different 
weights  ;  but  this  involves  changes,  and  operators  usually  prefer  to 
take  the  risk,  rarely  failing,  however,  to  pay  their  respects  to  the 
manufacturer  should  their  temerity  result  in  a  smash. 


HOLES    IN    FACE    OF  FLY-WHEELS 

The  holes  which  are  shown  in  the  face  of  the  fly-wheels  of  our 
Eccentric-action  Presses  are  for  two  purposes  :  First,  to  try  the 
impression  before  starting  up ;  also  as  a  convenience  in  some 
methods  of  make-ready,  and,  second,  to  work  off  the  impression  if 
"stalled."    The  holes  are  drilled  through,  and  are  inches  in 

diameter. 

*  In  this  connection,  see  pages  67-8. 


58 


SAFETY  CLUTCH 


The  clutch  of  our  Eccentric-action  Presses  is  capable  of  being 
adjusted  with  great  nicety ;  as  the  threads  of  the  toggle  levers  are 
very  snugly  fitted,  the  nuts  are  hardened  and  the  entire  structure  is 
exceedingly  rigid.  Hence,  it  is  feasible,  in  some  cases,  to  set  the 
clutch-wedges  so  as  to  just  carry  over  the  impression,  but  to  slip  and 
relieve  the  press  should  additional  sheets  be  inserted.  However, 
this  feature  is  seldom  made  use  of ;  for  the  reason,  we  presume,  that 
it  involves  considerable  experimenting  to  obtain  the  proper  degree  of 
friction,  and  then  it  "  makes  trouble  "  if  it  works. 

PRESS  THEOREMS 

In  a  practically  perfect  press,  provided  with  an  equally  perfect 
form,  no  make-ready  would  be  necessary.  While  such  a  construc- 
tion is  mechanically  possible  it  is  not  commercially  feasible,  as  the 
first  cost  would  be  greater  than  the  advantage  gained  in  operation. 
Very  close  approximations  have  been  made,  quite  to  the  limit  of 
practicability;  the  said  limit  being  the  degree  of  uniformity  in  the 
height  of  the  types. 

The  film  of  ink  impressed  upon  a  sheet  should,  in  the  majority 
of  instances,  be  as  thin  as  possible.  If  too  thick  it  may  be  forced 
out,  sidewise,  especially  so  if  the  sheet  is  hard  and  highly  surfaced. 
A  powerful  unyielding  impression  with  a  thin  deposition  of  ink  will 
usually  accomplish  better  results  than  a  heavy  coating  under  a 
yielding  or  insufiicient  impression. 

The  thickness  of  the  film  of  ink  impressed  upon  a  sheet  of  paper 
by  a  solid  tint-block  may  be  ascertained  by  weighing  a  quantity  of 
sheets  before  and  after  printing,  having  first  ascertained  the  volume 
of  the  ink  in  cubic  inches  to  the  pound.  Thus,  assume  a  tint-block 
of  lo  inches  area  and  that  looo  sheets  weigh  0.5  pound  more  after 
printing  than  before  ;  also  that  there  are  30  cubic  inches  of  ink  to  the 
pound.  Then,  0.5  x  30=15.0  cubic  inches  of  ink  applied  to  the 
sheets,  and  — ^^^  =  o.ooic  inch,  the  thickness  of  the  film.  The 

1000  X  10  ^  ' 

thought  to  bear  in  mind  from  the  foregoing  illustration  is  this  :  in 
such  a  job,  doubling  the  thickness  of  the  film  would  not  better  it, 
but  it  would  double  the  cost  of  the  ink. 

All  sliding  surfaces,  like  rockers,  rocker  seats  and  cams,  either 
open  or  closed,  should  be  frequently  wiped  and  scraped  clean,  to 
brightness,  but  emery  in  any  form  should  im^er  be  used.  For  such 
purpose  a  soft  pine  stick  dipped  in  clean  oil  and  plumbago  serves 


59 


admirably,  and  when  so  treated  the  surfaces  will  become  glazed, 
burnished,  planished,  and  the  durability,  when  proper  metallic 
couples  are  provided,  is  marvelous. 

A  form  of  small  surface,  but  requiring  heavy  pressure,  is  more 
severe  on  platen  presses  than  when  a  form  of  larger  area  requiring 
the  same  or  even  heavier  pressure  is  employed.  Beds  and  platens 
may  thus  be  pounded  low,  as  if  compressed  or  peaned  by  hammering, 
and  well-defined  cases  of  crystallization  have  been  observed  as  the 
result  of  long  usage  under  such  conditions. 

In  presses  for  cutting,  scoring,  stamping  or  embossing,  long  life 
can  only  be  ensured  by  the  employment  of  great  masses  of  material, 
or  of  metal  possessing  high  elasticity.  The  principle  is  like  that  of 
an  anvil ;  if  too  light  for  the  blow,  useful  work  is  expended  in  pro- 
ducing movement  or  vibration  which  a  greater  mass,  from  its  inertia, 
would  resist,  absorb  and  transmit  to  the  part  being  acted  upon. 

A  printing  machine  in  regular  service  ought  to  be  served  like 
the  deck  of  a  man-of-war  —Jioly stoned  at  the  tap  of  the  liell .' 

THE    COMPETITION    OF  OVER-REPRESENTATION 

To  the  manufacturer,  probably  the  most  exasperating  of  all 
experiences,  at  the  instant,  is  to  lose  a  customer  simply  by  making  a 
conservative  representation  respecting  the  capacity  of  his  machine. 
Time  and  time  again  have  we  had  the  experience  of  thus  passing  a 
purchaser  along  to  a  salesman  or  agent  whose  representations  were 
so  much  more  inclusive  than  ours,  and  so  thoroughly  "guaranteed" 
withal,  that  the  grades  of  iron  and  steel  used  in  our  product  were 
quite  without  the  " magic  circle"  so  drawai.  And  while  the  final 
outcome  has  usually  been  personally  gratifying,  the  inevitable  result 
is  to  lessen,  in  general,  the  degree  of  proper  confidence  which  should 
exist  between  purchaser  and  vendor. 

No  doubt,  as  we  can  vouch  for,  the  fault  is  often  at  the  door  of 
the  user;  who  may  listen,  with  but  scant  courtesy,  to  a  suggestion  as 
to  selection,  adaptation,  or  method  of  operation,  even  when  such 
suggestion  may  be  based  upon  the  result  of  most  careful  investiga- 
tion, or  be  representative  of  the  combined  experience  of  many. 
He  who  will  not  take  account  of  the  experience  of  others  will  often 
needlessly  waste  time  that  has  already  been  devoted  to  reach  the  same 
end ;  but  he  who  builds  upon  the  experience  of  others  may  with  certainty 
progress.  ^    Fortunately  for  the  art,  and  for  us,  there  are  many  who 

*  "  It  may  be  said  that  we  have  been  stating  a  mere  truism.  Quite  so  ;  and  the  statement  that 
you  cannot  lift  yourself  by  your  boot  straps  is  also  a  truism,  and  a  ^^reat  deal  of  good  energy  is 
wasted  by  those  who  forget  these  mere  trnisvisy 

COL.  H.  G.  PROUT,  M.  Am.  Soc.  C.  Y..,Y.d:\Kor  Railroad  Gazette. 


60 


prefer  to  build  upon  foundations  already  established,  else  might  a 
clam-shell  yet  perform  the  functions  of  our    Colt's  Armory  "  Press. 

DISSATISFACTION    FROM    HIGH  CAPACITY 

Again,  to  the  manufacturer,  there  is  an  unsatisfactory  class  of 
customers  in  those  who,  for  a  time,  make  successful  use  of 
machinery  not  properly  adapted  to  the  duty  for  which  it  is  employed. 
Thus,  when  a  printing  press  is  successfully  used  for  stamping,  cutting 
or  embossing,  and  especially  so  if  used  against  expert  advice,  then 
the  conclusion  of  the  user  is  liable  to  be  that  such  employment  of 
the  machine  was  disadvised  for  sinister  motives.  Yet,  the  conse- 
quent result  is  almost  as  certain  as  the  continuation  of  time,  namely  : 
that  such  over-use,  in  the  great  majority  of  cases,  will  smash  the  press, 
or  render  it  unfit  for  proper  operation  as  a  printing  press  per  se.  Such 
experiences  to-day  are  needless,  expensive,  wasteful,  and,  as  a  rule, 
unsatisfactory  to  every  one  connected  therewith,  in  that  the  "tone," 
both  commercially  and  as  an  art,  is  lowered  by  such  practice.  In 
fine,  we  do  not  care  for  such  patronage,  at  any  price  or  on  any  terms, 
which  seeks  to  do  twenty  horse-power  of  duty  with  a  ten-horse-power 
engine  ;  as,  too  often  for  the  good  repute  of  the  manufacturer,  when  the 
engine  is  ruined  its  original  rating  will  have  been  conveniently  forgotten. 

PATENTS    AND    MAINTENANCE    OF  VALUE 

Many  of  the  patents  granted  to  us  are  of  the  broadest  scope 
ever  issued  by  the  United  States  Patent  Office ;  in  fact  they  are 
generic,  having  been  passed  in  the  class  of  mechanical  movements. 
Moreover,  the  number  of  patented  features  in  our  "Colt's  Armory" 
Press  is  considerably  greater  than  in  any  competitive  machine  in 
the  market.  We  refer  to  the  foregoing  to  make  the  point  that  a 
purchaser  becomes  a  participant  in  our  monopoly.  Consequently, 
the  value  as  an  asset  is  not  liable  to  sudden  and  serious  diminution. 
Especially  is  this  true  here  for  the  reason  that  every  patented  feature 
has  been  subjected  to  the  most  thorough  practical  demonstration. 

TESTIMONIALS 

We  could  fill  this  pamphlet  with  the  complimentary  endorse- 
ments of  our  clients,  but  have  concluded  to  omit  even  a  selection 
therefrom,  presuming  that  any  one  desirous  of  calling  upon,  or 
corresponding  with,  users  of  our  presses  will  not  hesitate  to  make 
the  desire  known.  We  are  prepared  to  furnish  lists  of  our  customers 
to  any  one  properly  entitled  thereto. 

6i 


EXHIBITION  AWARDS 


In  the  matter  of  exhibition  endorsements,  we  received  the  only 
First  Award  and  Special  Mention  at  Melbourne  in  1888  ;  the  First 
Prize,  a  Silver  Medal,  at  the  Paris  Exposition  of  1889,  and  at  the 
Columbian  Exhibition  of  1893,  after  a  careful  competitive  inspection 
had  been  made,  the  Highest  Award  in  platen  printing  and  embossing 
presses  icuis  rccoijiuicudcd  by  the  jury.  But  a  diploma  was  not 
granted  by  the  executive  committee,  for  the  reason  (as  appeared  in 
the  record)  that  our  line  of  seven  presses  had  been  stopped  before 
the  close  of  the  exhibition.  The  aforesaid  record  did  not  mention, 
how^ever,  that  our  power  circuit  had  been  cut  because  we  declined  to 
pay  huice  for  one  installation  ! 

Then  there  is  yet  to  be  mentioned  what  might,  with  consider- 
able appropriateness,  be  termed  the  Silent  Compliment  to  Merit,  that 
■  which  really  means  more,  w^e  think,  than  could  be  expressed  in  many 
diplomas,  namely :  that  since  the  close  of  the  Columbian  Exposition 
at  least  four  European  concerns,  w^aiving  the  formality  of  consultation 
with  us,  have  taken  up  the  manufacture  of  our  presses  !  Still  w^e  rest 
confident  in  the  belief  that  first  hands  are  the  best  hands  :  "  The 
paraphrase  can  never  equal  the  text."    See  page  70. 

IN  CONCLUSION 

Of  all  the  artisan  professions,  that  of  the  printer  has  paid  most 
dearly  for  the  experimenting  of  incompetent  designers,  the  self-styled 
"  inventors."  We  have  some  dearly  bought  knowledge  of  the  long- 
haired variety ;  wdiose  order  of  procedure,  in  machine  construction, 
has  been  w^ell  dubbed,  "  Patterns  first  and  drawings  after  !  "  And 
this  leads  us  to  observe  that  the  difference  between  the  practice  of 
civil  engineering  and  "  inventing,"  is  that  one  starts  with  a  theory  and 
the  other  with  -^x  guess ;  the  one  is  scientifically  demonstrated  by  and 
at  the  cost  of  the  originator,  the  other  is  experimented  upon  by  and 
at  the  cost  of  the  purchaser. 

In  other  words,  or  as  defined  by  that  most  eminent  authority,  the 
Constitution  of  the  Institution  of  Civil  Engineers  of  Great  Britain, 
"the  profession  of  a  Civil  Engineer"  comprises  "the  art  of  directing 
the  great  sources  of  powder  in  Nature  for  the  use  and  convenience  of 
man,"  as  "  in  the  construction  and  adaptation  of  machinery." 

We  presume  to  assert  that  our  "  Colt's  Armory  "  Presses  are  the 
product  of  the  "  art "  just  described,  and,  so  being,  they  are  confi- 
dently submitted  for  the  use  and  behoof  of  the  craftsmen  of  the  Art 
Preservative  of  Arts. 

62 


PRES  ■ 


PLATEN     PRESSES     FOR  LETTERPRESS 
PRINTING  EMBOSSING  CUTTING 
AND  SCORING 


Excerpts  from  a  paper  entitled  "Platen  Presses  for  Letterpress  Printing,  Embossing,  Cutting  and 
Scoring,"'  by  John  Thomson,  Mem.  Am.  Soc.  C.  E.  Published  in  tlie  Transactions  of 
The  American  .Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  127  East  23d  Street,  New  York.  Vol.  XXXII, 
Dec,  iS()4. 

The  duty  required  of  printing  pre.s.ses  i.s  l)oth  \  aried  and  exacting.  Probably 
in  no  other  cla.s.s  of  service  i.s  the  performance  demanded  of  machinery  anything 
like  so  severe  as  in  letterpress  printing  and  paper  embossing,  a  condition  due  to 
the  inherent  principles  of  operation,  the  frequent  urgency  of  output  and  occasion- 
ally to  unskillful  attention. 

Simple  contact  between  types  and  paper  will  not  print.  Printing  requires 
pressure,  hard  pressure,  very  hard  pressure,  and  that,  too,  with  extreme  accuracy 
of  movement  under  great  strain. 

Rigidity  of  structure  is  an  essential  in  all  printing  machinery,  but  especially  is 
this  so  in  platen  presses.  In  cylinder  printing  presses  the  actual  surface  in  contact 
at  any  one  instant  is  but  a  line  the  length  of  the  cylinder;  but  in  a  platen 
machine  the  line  becomes  a  plane  surface  equal  in  area,  say,  to  1000  square  inches. 
It  is  no  contradiction  in  terms  to  say  that  a  press  may  be  strong  and  yet  not  rigid. 
A  hard,  unyielding,  solid  impression  is  regarded  of  importance  second  only  to 
accuracy  of  operation. 

There  are  some  printers  who  yet  believe,  as  did  the  earlier  members  of  the 
craft  generally,  that  long  duration  or  "  dwell  "  of  the  platen  upon  the  types  is 
advantageous  ;  but  this  now  is  not  usually  accepted  as  a  fact  in  practice,  nor  do 
we  find  for  it  a  theoretical  basis,  to  which  a  single  illustration  will  suffice.  Thus, 
in  a  platen  press  operating  at,  say,  1200  impressions  an  hour,  the  actual  hard 
impressional  contact  over  the  entire  surface  of  the  form  will  probably  not  "  dwell" 
to  exceed  .08  or  .10  second.  In  a  cylinder  press,  however,  working  at  the  same 
speed,  the  actual  contact  instant,  assuming  the  breadth  of  lines  equal,  say,  to  .02 
inch,  would  not  exceed  .002  second,  or  a  period  of  time  in  the  platen  press  of 
from  40  to  50  times  greater  duration  than  in  the  cylinder;  and  yet  two  such 
printed  sheets  might  not  be  distinguishable  one  from  the  other.  Consequently,  it 
may  be  accepted  as  a  fact  that  printing  ink  is  nowise  absorbed  by  the  paper,  but 
is  forcibly  driven  into  its  fiber. 

In  a  cylinder  press,  if  the  face  of  the  form  exactly  coincides  with  the  pitch 
line  of  the  rack  of  the  bed  ;  if  the  face  of  the  sheet  to  be  printed  on  the  cylinder 
exactly  coincides  with  the  pitch  line  of  the  cylinder  gear;  if  the  tympan  is 
practically  inelastic,  and  if  the  design  and  workmanship  of  the  interacting  parts 
are  practically  perfect,  then  the  printed  sheet  may  be  of  the  first  order.  But  such 
an  aggregation  of  conchtions  are  not  at  all  times  obtainable,  as  attested  by  the  fact 
that  types  and  engravings  are  more  rapidly  worn  down  under  cylindrical  action 
than  under  platen  contact.  Theoretically  perfect  rolling  contact,  as  between  a 
type-bed  and  a  cylinder,  is  demonstrably  unattainable ;  at  the  same  time,  the 
degree  of  perfection  reached  by  cylinder  press  makers  is  remarkable.     But  this 


63 


illustration  is  for  the  purpose  of  compaiisou  only,  as  the  field  covered  by  cylinder 
presses  is  quite  distinct  from  that  of  platen  machines,  and  the  use  of  the  two  are 
in  many  cases  not  interchangeable. 

In  a  platen  machine,  if  the  surfaces  of  both  the  bed  and  the  platen  are  practi- 
cally plane  surfaces  and  parallel  to  each  other;  if,  with  respect  to  the  work  to  be 
performed,  they  are  practically  rigid  ;  if  the  movement  of  one  to  the  other  is  direct, 
square  and  accurate,  and  if  there  is  adequate  impressional  power,  then  the  printed 
sheet  may  be  of  the  first  order ;  the  abrasive  action  upon  the  printing  surface  will 
be  of  the  slightest  possible  amount,  and  the  durability  of  the  form  will  reach  its 
maximum. 

To  produce  a  faultlessly  printed  sheet,  at  least  the  following  elements  must  be 
aggregated  :  press,  ink,  paper,  form  and  make-ready ;  and  if  each  and  all  of  these 
elements  are  of  the  first  order,  then  the  result  will  be  the  best  obtainable  in  the 
least  time.  Should  any  one  of  these  elements  be  defective,  however,  the  result  will 
either  be  reduced  cjuality  of  product  in  the  same  time,  or  a  high  grade  of  product, 
but  in  longer  time.  It  is  almost,  if  not  precisely,  like  the  ever-occuring  problem 
of  power  and  motion  ;  to  obtain  one  you  must  give  the  other. 


In  crank-action  presses,  the  connecting  rods  and  parts  attached  thereto  are 
restraining  members  up  to  the  dead  center,  but  become  active,  driving  or  trans- 
mitting members  after  the  center  is  passed.  That  is  to  say,  the  parts  primarily  in 
tension  or  compression  act  like  springs  to  drive  the  gears,  after  having  passed 
over  the  crank  center.  Hence,  if  there  be  any  lost  motion,  it  will  be  taken  up  with 
great  rapidity ;  consequently,  back-geared  crank  presses  require  close  fitting,  else 
there  will  be  a  sharp  hammer-like  shock  as  the  crank-pins  pass  over  the  nip.  In 
fact,  by  such  shocks,  cast-iron  gears  are  frequently  broken  when  the  cause  is 
otherwise  assigned. 

The  somewhat  remarkable  circumstance  has  repeatedly  been  observed, 
that  presses  used  under  heavy  strain  will  stand  satisfactorily  at  rapid  rates  of 
operation  when  they  fail  if  operated  at  a  lower  rate  of  speed ;  and  this,  notwith- 
standing that  all  the  conditions  in  each  case  are  precisely  alike,  except,  only,  as 
stated,  the  change  of  speed.    We  have  no  good  theory  to  offer  in  explanation  of 

this  fact,  but  it  is  a  fact  beyond  all  cavil. 
\  So,  also,  a  form  of  large  area,  requiring  an 

;  exceptionally  heavy  impression,  may  not  cause 
•  the  immediate  failure  of  the  machine,  which  is 
much  more  likely  to  occur  under  a  lighter  im- 
pression immediately  following  the  heavier; 
provided,  however,  that  the  lighter  impression 
£N  shall  be  upon  a  form  of  materially  less  area 
than  the  first.  Probably  the  good  reason  for 
this  is  to  be  found  in  the  change  of  the  distribu- 
tion of  strains. 

In  presses  for  cutting  and  scoring  paper 
box  blanks,  it  has    been   found  that  if  the 
y      knives  are  permitted  to  take  the  impression 

 without  feeding  the  sheets,  making  a  direct  im- 

\  pingement  upon  the  cutting  plate,  the  sharp 

I  edges  are  much  sooner  turned  than  when,  as  in 

regular  use,  they  are  first  driven  through  the 


STEEL  PLATE 
PAPER 
CUT  \ 


\  SCORE 
FURNITURE 


64 


sheet,  and  thence  are  arrested  l)y  the  face  of  the  steel  plate.  Whether  this  is 
simply  due  to  the  greater  pressure  imposed  upon  the  edges,  when  the  obstruction 
due  to  the  sheet  is  missing,  or  that  the  edges  of  the  knives  are  cushioned  by 
particles  of  fiber  carried  forward  under  the  edges  of  the  knives,  is  not  definitely 
settled.  ])Ut  as  to  the  definite  practical  fact  there  is  no  question,  even  although 
it  waits  ui)on  a  laggard  theory.* 

To  emboss  a  sheet  of  paper  generally  requires,  it  is  believed,  more  pressure 
upon  each  unit  of  surface  than  would  a  sheet  of  metal  of  corresponding  thickness  ; 
the  reason  being  that  metal,  if  simply  indented,  would  retain  the  form,  while  the 
fiber  of  paper,  being  resilient,  must  be  crushed,  deformed,  "set,"  before  it  will  take 
and  retain,  sharply,  the  impress  of  the  die.  In  some  instances,  too,  no  amount  of 
mere  pressure  will  alone  suffice;  heat  must  be  added  to  pressure,  to  co-act  there- 
with, and  especially  is  this  so  in  fibers  charged  with  "sizing,"  such  as  are  used  on 
book-covers. 

An  eml)ossing  press,  running  at  high  speed,  strained  up  to  all  the  fly-wheel 
will  carry  over,  might  well  be  held  liable  to  indictment  for  inflicting  cruelty  upon 
iron  and  steel ;  the  duty,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  is  exceedingly  severe,  much  more 
so  than  is  usually  apprehended. 

For  some  years  the  belief  has  been  entertained  that  one  reason  why  emboss- 
ing seems  to  require,  at  times,  a  degree  of  pressure  apparently  quite  out  of  propor- 
tion to  the  result  obtained,  is  due  to  the  confinement  of  air  in  the  cavities  of  the 
die ;  such  cells  being  formed  by  the  paper  as  it  is  driven  "  home,"  hence,  the 
resilient  air  acts  as  a  cushion  and  prevents  an  absolutely  hard  contact  between  the 
paper  and  the  metal.  So  far,  no  adequate  remedy  has  been  found  for  this  difficulty. 
The  expedient  occasionally  employed  in  drop-forging  dies,  that  is,  minute  perfora- 
tions, is  not  usually  applicable  in  this  case. 

Next  in  order  of  importance  come  presses  adapted  for  embossing.  The 
lighter  grades  of  work  may  occasionally  be  executed  upon  platen  printing  presses, 
but  even  when  constructed  in  the  strongest  and  most  rigid  manner  the  usual 
effect  of  embossing  is  to  lower  more  or  less  the  efficiency  of  the  machine  as  a 
printing  press,  the  reason  for  which  is,  that  the  hard  pounding,  the  hammer-like 
shocks,  often  experienced  in  embossing  result  in  hollow  beds  and  platens.  More- 
over, frequently  the  heaviest  impressions  are  imposed  upon  dies  of  small  area,  thus 
centralizing  the  strains  upon  a  small  surface.  In  embossing  practice,  a  heavy  die  is 
not  necessarily  of  large  dimensions,  as  its  "  heaviness  "  is  much  more  dependent 
upon  the  number  and  character  of  the  lines  or  points  to  be  brought  up  in  the 
paper  than  in  the  mere  upsetting  of  blank  surfaces  having  greater  area. 

Another  condition  of  unusual  severity  to  be  contended  with  in  embossing  is 
that  dies  may  frequently  be  set  out  of  proper  center.  Sometimes  this  cannot  be 
avoided,  but  most  frecjuently  it  is  caused  by  error  of  judgment  in  the  pressman. 
The  cause  of  this  is  that  the  proper  center  of  a  die  with  respect  to  the  platen  may 
not  be  its  lineal  center.  What  is  here  meant  by  the  term  "proper  center"  is  the 
center  of  pressure,  to  determine  which,  in  regular  practice,  is  largely  a  matter  of 

*  "  It  is  easy  to  laugh  at  and  deride  shop  prejudices,  and  there  are  enough  of  tliem  that  deserve 
ridicule  ;  again,  there  are  some  that  will  not  down,  and  they  compel  the  scientist  to  hunt  for  exj^lana- 
tions.  But  after  all,  ridicule  is  dangerous ;  it  is  possible  that  a  careful  comparison  of  some  of  the 
laws  laid  down  by  the  highest  scientists  would  tend  to  excite  the  risibles.  If  the  hand  worker  some- 
times flounders  in  the  mud,  the  scientist  is  sometimes  enveloped  and  groping  in  mist." 

WILLIAM  METCALF,  C.  E.,  Past  President  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers. 


65 


experience  and  judgment.  Thus,  to  cite  a  simple  example,  if  a  die  6  inches  wide 
by  1 2  inches  long  has  twice  the  amount  of  line  work  in  6  inches  of  its  length  than 
it  has  in  the  other,  then  this  end  will  require  twice  as  much  pressure  as  the  other; 
hence,  to  balance  the  strain  upon  the  press,  upon  this  basis  of  2:1,  assumed  either 
as  of  pressure  or  of  leverage,  the  transverse  center  of  such  a  die  should  be  4  inches 
from  the  end  of  its  heavy  surface. 

Still  another  reason  why  paper  embossing  involves  very  heavy  pressure  is 
that  but  one  die  is  used;  a  fact,  by  the  way,  which  is  not  infrequently  unknown 

even  l)y  printers  of  experience.  Thus,  the  real 
die,  which  is  usually  cut  in  steel  or  brass  and 
occasionally  etched  in  zinc,  is  a  sunken  figure, 
an  intaglio,  w'hile  that  which  would  correspond 
to  the  "male"  die  is  termed  a  "force"  or 
"counter,"  and  this  is  invariably  built  up  arti- 
ficially, as  will  be  understood  by  reference  to  the 
diagram.  In  the  construction  of  "forces" 
many  substances  are  used,  such  as  paper,  with 
marine  or  fish  glue,  waxes  of  various  kinds, 
cements,  shellac,  clays,  gutta-percha,  fibers, 
hard  rubber  and  the  like.  But  it  can  be  ac- 
cepted as  a  principle  that  some  kind  of  resilient 
substance  is  essential ;  for,  even  if  it  were 
practicable  to  produce  a  perfect  metal  "  counter  " 
(and  this  has  been  tried  hy  electrical  depo- 
sition), it  would  fail,  because  it  is  improbable 
that  any  machine  can  l^e  built  so  rigid,  under  strain,  but  that  it  would  act  to  cut 
the  sheet.  In  this  character  of  "make-ready"  much  depends  upon  the  skill  of  the 
pressman ;  one  man  will  produce  a  satisfactory  result  with  20  tons  of  pressure 
where  another  man  would  hardly  do  more  than  indent  the  paper  with  100  tons. 
The  nub  of  the  whole  matter  is  to  get  the  pressure  into  the  recesses  of  the  die. 

Here  is  a  simple  rule  to  avoid  accidental  breakage  in  machinery.  Make  it  a 
hard  and  fast  practice  to  have  your  machinery  examined  at  stated  times,  and 
particularly  observe  that  all  stud-bolts,  screws  and  nuts  are  tight  and  performing 
proper  duty.  Insist  upon  the  carrying  out  of  this  simple  system,  and  you  will  find 
that  those  accidents  which  are  reported  as  if  an  effect  without  a  cause,  "broke 
itself,  not  a  thing  touched  it,"  will  cease  ;  for  if  it  had  been  "  touched  "  at  the  proper 
time,  there  would  have  been  no  cause  for  accident.  The  economics  of  railroading 
compels  such  inspection  of  cars  and  locomotives.  Then  it  has  been  proved,  times 
over,  that  it  pays  to  keep  machinery  bright  and  clean,  and  while  this  is  particularly  ap- 
plicable to  a  printing  press,  it  is  good  practice,  now  and  then,  even  in  a  stone  crusher. 

An  elementary  word  in  regard  to  oil  may  bear  repeating  here.  The  function 
of  oil  on  machinery  is  to  prevent  the  contact  of  metallic  surfaces.  It  acts  like  a 
system  of  rollers.  To  perform  proper  duty,  it  should  have  sufiicient  tenacity  not 
to  crush;  it  should  be  sufficiently  limpid  to  reach  the  surfaces  of  well-fitted 
journals  and  yet  not  "  run  away ;  "  and  it  should  not  change  its  quality  by  exposure 
to  the  air  or  from  contact  from  metals.  Animal  oils  are  liable  to  corrode;  vege- 
table oils  to  "gum  up."  The  writer  does  not  hesitate  to  recommend  the  modern 
mineral  oils,  without  doctoring  or  compounding  in  any  way,  as  the  best  for 
regular  practice,  at  least  in  the  character  of  machinery  herein  referred  to.  If 

66 


some  one  could  devise  a  thumb-and-finger  rule  for  determining  the  approximate 
quality  of  oil,  and  then  promulgate  it,  there  would  result  at  once  a  distinct 
advance  in  moral  ethics;  for  the  patience  of  the  patriarch  of  the  land  of  Uz  would 
give  out  under  the  complaint  of  "  soft  metal  "  when  it  is  found  that  bearings  sub- 
jected to  tons  of  pressure  to  the  square  inch  are  being  lubricated  with  oil  proper 
only  for  a  sewing  machine  or  a  clock. 

Respecting  the  application  of  oil,  it  is  better  practice  to  apply  frequently  and 
sparingly  rather  than  at  long  intervals  to  flood  your  bearings.  All  bearings  sub- 
ject to  heavy  strain  should  be  frequently  wiped,  if  open,  or  washed  out  with 
benzine,  if  closed,  else  the  fine  particles  of  metal  which  become  separated,  mix 
with  the  lubricant  and  thus  form  a  grinding  paste.  And  especially  is  this  so  in 
the  first  starting  up  of  a  new  machine,  in  which  there  is  sure  to  be  a  residuum  of 
fine  dust,  filings  and  grit  that  no  amount  of  original  wiping  or  brushing  will  fully 
remove.  Now,  if  this  is  carefully  removed  as  rapidly  as  it  accumulates,  then  the 
effect  of  the  initial  wear  is  highly  beneficial,  the  bearings  soon  taking  on  a 
burnished  polish,  the  endurance  of  which  is  of  the  first  order. 

In  all  closed  cams,  that  is,  in  which  a  closely  fitted  roller  works  in  a  groove, 
oil  should  be  sparingly  applied,  especially  so  if  the  oil  is  of  heavy  body,  the  reason 
for  this  being  that  the  oil  may  act  to  prevent  the  roller  from  turning  upon  its 
journal. 

The  query  is  often  asked:  What  pressure  will  this  or  that  machine  give 
Such  questions  cannot  be  definitely  answered,  it  is  believed,  at  the  present  time. 
Several  years  ago  the  writer  constructed  a  hydraulic  ram  adapted  to  a  printing 
press  to  be  acted  upon  by  the  platen,  its  relation  being  50  :  i  of  a  10,000-pound 
Bourdon  spring  gauge,  alleged  to  have  been  carefully  constructed  for  the  purpose, 
and  intended  to  give  a  maximum  indication  of  500,000  pounds.  But  the  shocks 
soon  gave  evidence  that  the  gauge  tube  was  playing  the  too  usual  part  of  such 
instruments,  and  this,  together  with  business  complications,  which  came  up  at  the 
time,  put  a  stop  to  the  proposed  extended  series  of  experiments.  Nevertheless, 
enough  was  ascertained  by  the  considerable  number  of  experiments  carried  out  to 
indicate  a  "  handy  "  empirical  method  of  approximating  the  measure  of  kinetic 
energy,  in  terms  of  foot-pounds,  which  the  fly-wheel  of  a  press  would  be  capable  of 
exerting  upon  the  platen,  the  sole  object  of  this  being  to  form  a  premise  upon 
which  to  determine  the  dimensions  of  the  working  parts.  The  indications  of  the 
experiments  referred  to  were  that  the  coeiificient  of  friction,  under  heavy  strains, 
was  materially  higher  and  more  variable  than  had  been  expected ;  hence  it  ap- 
peared that  any  expression  as  to  its  value,  short  of  absolute  determination,  under 
actual  working  conditions,  would  be  little  better  than  guesswork.  The  scheme 
was  then  adopted  to  disregard  entirely  the  consideration  of  friction  and  simply  let 
it  stand  as  the  factor  of  safety.  Briefly,  then,  the  whole  matter  boiled  down  to 
this  :  The  pressure  deliverable  at  the  platen  in  foot-pounds  (/■')  would  be  equal  to 
half  the  weight  of  the  rim  of  the  fly-wheel  in  pounds  {y^M)  times  the  square  of 
the  velocity  [v-)  in  feet  per  second  at  the  center  of  its  gyration  divided  by  the 
impression  movement  of  the  platen  in  parts  of  a  foot,  the  latter  most  readily 
obtainable  by  finding  the  versed  sine  (.V)  of  the  crank  during  the  angle  of  its 
impression  action  =  AJ^/^l^'j  ^  Thus,  if  it  were  shown  that  the  theoretical  strain 
which  might  be  imposed  upon  the  connections  were  up  to  about  the  tensile  limit 
of  the  material,  then  the  power  absorbed  in  friction,  be  it  25,  35,  50  per  cent, 
(any  of  which  guesses  might  be  good),  would  be  the  factor  on  the  side  of  safety. 


67 


Example  :  7^  =  foot-pounds  on  connecting  rods.  S,  versed  sine,  =  .00275  feet.  71/,  fly-wheel,  = 
250  pounds.  C,  center  of  gyration  of  fly-wheel,  =  6.28  feet  circumference.  /',  velocity  of  fly- 
wheel, =  17.8  feet  a  second.     Relation  of  fly-wheel  to  crank  =  S.5  :  i.     Time  of  revolution  of 

/        >^  7^/  F2  \ 

crank  =  3  seconds.    Cross  section  of  connecting  rods  and  pins  =  20  square  inches.    yF  =   —  j 

Thus,  125  X  17.8"  =  1,440,181  foot-pounds,  or  720  tons,  if  no  friction,  and  if  fly-wheel  were  brought 
to  rest  during  the  10°  traverse  of  crank.    (=.083  second). 

360 


But  assume  belt  capable  of  restoring  but  half  of  full  velocity,  then 


.    ,      =  18  second 
juare  inches 

foot-tons  to  each  square  inch  of  section  ;  which  is  probably  the  greatest  maximum  load  possible  in 
practice  and  with  no  deduction  yet  made  for  friction. 


The  diagram  is  a  reduplication  of  the  dimensions,  process  and  figures  upon  which 
the  12)4  X  i8}^-inch  embossing  press  was  designed,  and  the  other  machines  herein 
shown  were  also  predicated  upon  this  theory.  All  the  writer  will  say  for  this 
formula  is  that  the  presses  built  under  its  wing  have  most  worthily  stood  up  to 
their  duty.  His  judgment  is  that  it  is  well  within  the  line  of  safety,  in  the  charac- 
ter of  machines  here  shown,  as  in  at  least  two  instances  fly-wheels  were  subse- 
quently increased  in  weight  over  that  called  for  by  the  rule,  again  indicating  a 
very  high  coefificient  of  friction  under  strain.  Whether  there  is  any  novelty  in 
this  direct  transfer  from  the  rim  of  the  fly-wheel  to  the  versed  sine  of  the  crank, 
he  does  not  know,  nor  does  he  much  care,  as,  like  many  such  expressions,  it  is 
largely  an  intellectual  satisfaction,  liable  to  be  practically  misleading.  He  hopes, 
at  no  far  distant  time,  to  take  the  subject  up  under  the  only  proper  method,  if  it 
can  be  satisfactorily  worked  out,  as  he  confidently  believes  it  can,  namely,  to 
make  the  measurement  of  the  pressures  in  actual  pounds  of  weight  at  the  apex, 
the  instant  of  greatest  effort. 

The  strongest  incentive  to  advancement  is  to  learn  of  the  achievement  made 
by  others,  and  next  to  this  is  the  faith  of  those  with  whom  you  have  to  treat ;  for 
it  not  only  requires  skill  and  experience,  but  patience,  faith  and  money  as  well,  to 
make  a  commercial  success  of  any  machine  which  is  expensive  to  construct  as 
compared  to  its  competitors.  Intention  is,  of  course,  a  useful  factor;  but  this  is 
not  all.  You  must  first  know  what  to  do ;  next,  how  to  do  it,  and  then  do  it.  We 
should  all  bear  in  mind  that  an  incorrect  principle  will  outlive  the  best  steel 
that  was  ever  forged.  And  then,  too,  the  "  little  things  "  are  so  often  of  the  most 
vital  importance,  because  far  reaching  in  their  consequences.  It  is  the  obscure 
detail,  unrecognized  or  passed  by  as  of  no  consequence,  which  most  often  stands 
as  the  dividing  line  between  that  which  shall  be  successful  and  enduring,  or 


68 


unsuccessful  and  short-lived.  It  \vas  the  great  anatomist,  sculptor,  architect, 
painter,  Michael  Angelo,  who  said,  "  Trifles  make  perfection." 

********* 

It  is  hoped  that  the  engraving  here  presented,  "The  Iron-worker  and  King 
Solomon,"  will  not  be  regarded  as  out  of  place,  as  it  is  intended  to  indicate  the 
most  advanced  accomplishment  in  photographic  "  process  "  work  and  also  in  letter- 
press printing.  The  subject  is  not  only  happily  chosen,  we  believe,  but  every 
detail,  mechanically  and  artistically,  is  faultless.  Results  like  this  might  possibly 
cause  an  improper  degree  of  exultation  upon  the  part  of  the  modest  press-maker, 
were  it  not  for  the  restraining  claims  of  the  ink-maker,  the  paper-maker,  the 
photographer,  the  artist  and  the  pressman,  each  and  all  of  whom  are  entitled  to 
share  in  the  credit.  Nevertheless,  may  he  not  properly  take  unto  himself  the 
claim,  that  without  the  printing  press  there  would  have  been  no  Art  Preservative 
of  Arts  ;  nay,  more,  that  without  the  engineer  there  would  have  been  no  printing 
machine  Verily,  we  have  eminent  authority  for  this  assumption,  for  the  wisest 
man,  when  time  was  young,  proclaimed  it  in  express  words  :  "  Ho,  there,"  com- 
manded Solomon,  "make  place  at  my  right  hand;  the  claim  is  justly  made;  but 
for  the  iron-worker  (the  engineer)  I  would  have  had  no  temple!  "* 


*  EXTRACTS   FROM   THE   LEGEND   OF   KING   SOLOMON   AND   THE  IRON 

WORKER. 

And  when  Solomon  and  liis  guests  had  arrived  at  the  place  of  the  feast,  they  beheld  a  man,  clad 
in  the  garb  and  covered  with  the  soil  of  labor,  seated  in  the  cliair  of  lionor  not  yet  awarded.  And  the 
king  waxed  wroth,  and  said,  "  What  manner  of  man  art  thou?  Why  coniest  thou  thus  unseemly  and 
unbidden  to  our  feast,  where  none  are  invited  save  tiie  chief  workers  on  tlie  Temple?" 

And  the  man  answered  and  said,  "  Please  you,  I  came  not  unbidden.  Was  it  not  proclaimed 
that  this  day  the  cliief  workmen  of  the  Temple  dine  with  tlie  king?    Therefore  am  1  come.'' 

And  when  the  man  had  thus  spoken,  the  guests  talked  with  each  otlier,  and  he  who  carved  the 
cherubim  spake  aloud  and  said,  "This  fellow  is  no  sculptor.    1  know  him  not." 

And  he  who  inlaid  the  roof  with  pure  gold  said,  "  Neither  is  he  of  those  who  work  in  refined 
metals." 

And  he  who  wrought  in  raising  the  walls  said,  "  He  belongs  not  with  those  who  are  cutters  of 
stone." 

And  one  who  labored  in  sliaping  the  timbers  for  the  roof  said,  "  We  who  are  cunning  in  cedar 
wood,  and  know  the  mystery  of  joining  strange  timbers  together,  know  him  not.    He  is  not  of  us." 

Then  said  King  Solomon,  "  How  sayest  thou  now?  Wherefore  should  I  not  have  thee  plucked 
by  the  beard,  scourged  with  a  scourge  and  stoned  with  stones,  even  unto  death?" 

But  the  man  was  nowise  daunted,  and  he  r(jse  from  the  seat,  and  came  to  where  the  wine  was  set, 
and  took  a  cup  of  the  wine  and  raised  it  high  and  spake  aloud,  saying,  "  O  king  !  live  forever!  "  He 
then  drank  long  until  the  cup  was  emptied. 

He  now  returned  to  the  seat  and  spake  to  the  guests  who  had  rebuked  him,  and  said  unto  the 
chief  of  the  carvers  in  stone,  "  Who  made  the  inscruments  with  which  you  carve  ?  " 

And  he  answered,  "The  Blacksmith." 

And  to  the  chief  of  the  workers  in  wood  he  said,  "  Who  made  the  tools  with  which  you  felled  the 
cedars  of  Lebanon,  and  shaped  them  into  pillars  and  roof  for  the  Temple  ?  " 
And  he  also  answered,  "  The  Blacksmith." 

Then  he  spoke  unto  the  artificer  in  gold  and  ivory  and  precious  stones,  saying,  "  Who  fashioned 
the  instruments  with  which  you  wrought  beautiful  ornaments  for  my  lord  the  king?" 
And  he  too  made  answer  the  same,  "  The  Blacksmith." 

Tlien  said  tlie  man  to  Solomon,  "  Behold,  ()  king!  /  am  he  who  when  men  deride,  they  call  me 
Blacksmith,  but  when  tliey  would  honor  me,  they  call  me  Son  of  the  Forge.  These  craftsmen  say 
truly  that  I  am  not  of  tliem  :  1  am  their  superior.    Without  wr  labor  first,  f/ie/r  labor  could  not  be." 

"Son  of  the  Forge,"  said  Solomon,  "  I  too  honor  thee,  thou  worthy  successor  of  the  great 
master,  Tubal  Cain.  Take  thou  this  seat  at  my  right  hand  prepared  for  the  ?/u>st  worthy.  It  is  thy 
due." 


69 


70 


INDEX 


PACxE 


General  Description  of  Printing  Presses  .... 

7 

to 

19 

Styles  and  Sizes,  and  their  Special  Adaptations 

20 

to 

21 

Detailed  Price  List;    also  Complement  of  Small   Parts  Furnished, 

Printing  Presses  ....... 

22 

to 

24 

Exclusive  Features  in  "Colt's  Armory"  Presses  Only 

25 

Eccentric-action  Embossing  Presses,  Description  and  Price  List  of 

27 

to 

31 

Cutting  and  Scoring  Presses,  Description  and  Price  List  of 

34 

to 

3« 

Tabulated  Price  List  of  all  Presses  .... 

39 

Tables  of  Dimensions  and  ^Shipping  Information 

40 

to 

41 

Construction  :    Material,  Workmanship  and  Testing 

42 

Suggestions:    Make-ready,  Operation,  ( )il         .           .           .  . 

44 

to 

47 

Technical  Features — Press  Theorems — Conclusion 

48 

to 

62 

Excerpts  from  Transactions  of  American  Sociely  of  Civil  Engineers 

on  "  Platen  Presses  "  . 

03 

to  69 

HALF-TONE    ILLUSTRATIONS    OF  PRESSES 

Quarto  Medium  ........ 

18 

Half  Medium  Style  One       .           .           .           .           .  . 

ID 

Half  Medium  Style  Three  ...... 

12 

Half  Super-royal  Style  Two  ..... 

6 

Half  Super-royal  Style  Four       .           .           .  . 

16 

Eccentric-action  Embosser  size  i8  x  24  inches 

26 

Eccentric-action  Embosser  size  12^  x  inches 

28 

to 

29 

Crank-action  Cutting  and  Scoring  Press  size  20  x  30  inches 

3- 

to 

33 

Eccentric-action  Cutting  and  Scoring  Press  size  26  x  38  inches 

36 

to 

37 

SAMPLES  OF  PRESS-WORK  CONTAINED  IN  THIS  CATALOGUE 
EXECUTED  UPON  "COLT'S  ARMORY"  PRESSES  OWNED 
AND  USED  FOR  YEARS  BY  BARTLETT  &  COMPANY, 
"THE    ORR  PRESS" 

Cover,  exhibiting  Tint  Printing  and  Embossing,  requiring  exceedingly  close 
register  in  the  tint  plate  and  a  very  heavy  impression  to  bring  up  the  fine  line- 
work  of  the  die.  This  was  executed  upon  the  presses  shown  on  pages  6,  28  and 
29,  and  was  run  off  at  the  rate  of  about  i  500  impressions  an  hour. 

Chromotype,  "The  Mantilla,"  in  three  colors,  between  pages  62  and  63. 
Printed  upon  the  press  illustrated  on  page  12.  This  exhibits  extreme  delicacy  of 
registration,  of  ink-deposition  and  of  distribution,  at  fast  operation. 

Half-tone,  "  The  Iron  Worker  and  King  Solomon,"  denoting  the  regular 
grade  of  "Colt's  Armory"  distribution,  and  square,  sharp  impression  at  fast 
speed,  shown  between  pages  68  and  69.  Printed  upon  the  type  of  press  illus- 
trated on  page  6. 

7T 


1 


